Vienna: Director General of the Department of Statistics Haidar Fraihat, in cooperation with the European Union (EU), chaired the closing conference of the Euro-Mediterranean Statistical Cooperation Program for the Mediterranean region (MEDSTAT V), held in Vienna, Austria, from July 7-9.
According to Jordan News Agency, the conference brought together heads of national statistical offices and key national coordinators from the EU's Southern Neighbourhood countries, along with representatives from Eurostat and regional and international partners. The event reviewed the progress achieved in statistical work at the national and regional levels since the launch of the program's fifth phase, which focuses on strengthening statistical systems. Discussions covered methodologies and practices aimed at improving the quality of statistical data, standardizing approaches, and facilitating international comparisons.
Fraihat participated in discussions on opportunities to incorporate artificial intelligence technologies into statistical production processes to improve data accuracy. The discussions also addressed enhancing the readiness of national statistical systems in Southern Mediterranean countries to adopt modern digital technologies and expanding the use of administrative records as key sources for data collection instead of relying solely on traditional and costly surveys.
The conference provided an opportunity for exchanging expertise and developing cooperation between European experts and representatives of participating statistical institutions. On the sidelines of the event, Fraihat held meetings with Eurostat officials and heads of statistical offices to discuss statistical cooperation and exchange experiences.
During the second day of the conference, which brought together directors general of national statistical offices, national contact points from partner countries, and Jean-Pierre Poncelet, Director for Standards, Dissemination and Cooperation at Eurostat, participants discussed the Mediterranean Charter, its objectives, and its action plan. Fraihat highlighted the role of official statistics in supporting the implementation of its initiatives and monitoring progress.
Participants discussed ways to enhance cooperation and increase access to data needed to follow up on these initiatives, contributing to improved data quality and coverage and supporting evidence-based decision-making. The meeting also addressed opportunities to benefit from modern technologies, artificial intelligence, and new data sources to improve data availability and enhance comparability among partner countries, supporting the development of official statistics.
The conference concluded with presentations on future cooperation initiatives with Southern Mediterranean countries, including the European Statistics Code of Practice and the Euro-Mediterranean Statistical Cooperation Strategy for 2028-2034. Participants stressed the importance of continuing cooperation and coordinating efforts to develop a more integrated and sustainable statistical system in the region.