News Archive:

 

GSDP/ QSA News Archive 2008

n  Panel to implement Qatar Vision initiative
n Qatar Statistics Authority revises Gross Domestic Product estimate upward
n The Second Report on the Millennium Development Goals State of Qatar
n Qatar’s National Vision is a foundation for the National Strategy
n H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jabor Al Thani to sit as a Governing Board member of the UNESCO Institute for Statistics
n Qatar Statistics Authority (QSA) commences The Economic Survey
n Press Release
n ESCWA Countries begin preparations for the 2010 round of Population and Housing Censuses
n workshop on statistics and indicators for education
n Press Release
n Qatar Statistics Authority Hosts“The Experts Meeting on Developing Nationa Accounts and The Seventh GCC meeting of National Accounts Directors Committee” Doha, 14 – 15 April 2008
n PRESS RELEASE: GDP in Qatar amounts to 232 billion Qatari riyals(QRs) at current prices in year 2007 And expected to rise to 268 billions Qatari riyals(QRs) in year 2008
n Consultative Meeting on Qatar Labour Market Strategy
n Experts to Develop Qatar’s Knowledge-based Economy
n A New On-line Resource To Enter Qatar Next Year
n PPC Holds Workshop on Population Policy
n PPC Participates in the "Regional Workshop on “Enhancing the Skills of Demographers and Population Experts in Demographic Analysis"
n QSA to organize Sub-Regional Workshop on Human Development Indicators
 
12/08/2008

Panel to implement Qatar Vision initiative

 

HH THE Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani yesterday issued a decree, establishing a supreme committee to supervise the implementation of the Qatar Vision 2030 programme.

 The committee will be chaired by HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani, its deputy chairman.

 The decree stated the committee would be powered to supervise the implementation of Qatar Vision plans and strategies. The committee may set up subsidiary work groups selected from within the Supreme Committee or outside.

 It may also task experts with conducting studies or consultancies required for the committee.

 
 
01/7/2008

Qatar Statistics Authority revises Gross Domestic Product estimate upward

 

 Qatar Statistics Authority (QSA) revises 2007 gross domestic product (GDP) upward. The new GDP estimate is QR 258,6 Billion. This estimate is still provisional and will be subject to revision on the basis of the new census data.

The QSA will start conducting a new economic census in the next few weeks. The results will be released by the end of this year.

“Qatar is a fast moving economy and a new census is required to keep up with big changes on the ground”, says Sheikh Hamad bin Jabor Al Thani, Acting President of the Qatar Statistical Authority.
According to him there are now probably well over 40,000 business establishments operating in Qatar compared to just 30,000 at the time of the last census in 2004.

The new census, which will be launch in a few weeks, will cover new estimates of Qatar’s gross domestic product, a measure of the overall size and growth of the economy, as well as new estimates of Qatar’s economic structure for the period 2005 – 2007.

“Our goal is to significantly improve the reliability of the national accounts. This will benefit policy formulation, improve transparency and provide a more solid basis on which the country can formulate strategies to serve Qatar’s National Vision”, Sheikh Hamad bin Jabor Al-Thani promises. Qatar’s National Vision (QNV) 2030 was approved last week.

Sheikh Hamad stresses that the private sector will also benefit from the improvements. “QSA must be on top of the fast moving developments to meet the needs of the business and financial community”.

For any inquires or information please contact:

Mr. Hassan Mohd Al-Emadi, Director of Economic Statistics Dept., QSA: 974 - 4958 711

 

For more details click    

 
 
29/6/2008

The Second Report on the Millennium Development Goals State of Qatar

 

Within the framework of assessment of achievements and progress attained towards realization of the Millennium Development Goals in the State of Qatar, the Statistics Authority has issued the second Report on the Millennium Development Goals. The Report has been prepared on the basis of the new revised framework of the Millennium Development Goals prepared by the UN Statistics Department and contains 18 targets and 48 indicators for monitoring the progress made towards attainment of the eight goals set by the World Millennium Declaration in September 2000.

In his preface to the report, H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Jabor Al Thani, Acting President of the Statistics Authority, states that the Millennium Development Goals announced in 2000 reflected determination of political leaderships in various countries around the world to save mankind from poverty and hunger and make the right to development a reality that aims at a continuous improvement in the welfare of all people and individuals on the basis of their participation in development and fair distribution of its fruits.

He also reiterates that the Millennium Development Goals reflect mankind’s aspirations for a better life through a selected set of goals defined in clear figures and explicit time references. For the period 1990-2015, countries have agreed to halve the proportion of people who suffer from poverty and hunger, achieve universal primary education, promote gender equality, reduce by two-thirds, the under five mortality rate, reduce, by three quarters, the maternal mortality ratio, combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, TB and other diseases, ensure environmental sustainability, and develop a global partnership for development.

Mr. Sultan Al kuwari, Director of Demographic and Social Statistics and Statistical Analysis Department and chairman of the team commissioned to prepare the second report on the Millennium Development Goals in the State of Qatar, has stated that the second report is characterized by its inclusiveness of all indicators set by the United Nations as well as recent data and indicators reflecting Qatar’s accomplishments related to the Millennium Goals.

The Report is divided into eight sections. Each section explains and analyzes a goal of the Millennium Goals and the State of Qatar’s achievements during 1990-2007.

First Goal - Elimination of extreme poverty and hunger: This goal was attained by Qatar a long time ago. Hence, this target does not constitute a challenge for Qatar, which has become a high income county with per capita expenditure of more than US $ 33 per day in 2007.

Second Goal - Universal primary education: Qatar has made remarkable progress in the provision of education and getting very close to realizing the goal of universal primary education with the rate of enrollment in primary education being 97.6% in 2006. The literacy rate among the youth (15-24) rose from 96.5% in 1990 to 99.1% in 2007.

Third Goal - Promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women: Qatar has made considerable progress as regards achieving gender equality in various educational levels. The ratio of females to males in primary, secondary and university educational levels has reached 100%. However, women’s participation in the labor market and politics still requires intensive efforts to bridge the gap between men and women.

Fourth Goal - Reduction of the under 5 mortality rate by two-thirds: Qatar is close to attaining this objective. The under 5 mortality rate was 9.1 per 1,000 births in 2007 compared with 16.6 per 1,000 in 1990. Hence, reduction, by two-thirds, of the infant mortality rate by 2015 will be achieved several years before this date.

Fifth Goal – Improvement of Maternal Health: Qatar has attained the objective of promoting women’s reproductive health and safe maternity. The rate of deliveries under qualified health specialists was 100% in 2007. The rate of post-natal medical care was 100%.

Sixth Goal - Combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other contagious diseases: Qatar has made remarkable progress towards realization of this objective, with 100% provision by the State of Qatar of medications for patients with HIV/AIDS. Incidence of TB, malaria and fatalities caused by them declined considerably during 1990-2007. Death due to these diseases is nearly zero per 10,000.

Seventh Goal - Ensuring environmental sustainability: Qatar has realized this objective 100% in relation to securing safe water, sewage services and appropriate housing for various living families for the whole population, securing protected reserves for biological diversity (21.7%) i.e. higher than the world standard (10%). Remarkable efforts have been made by the State to reduce rates of Ozone-depleting gases (chlorofluorocarbons), which is a current challenge for Qatar.

Eighth Goal - Achievement of global partnership in development: The State of Qatar has taken part in a global development partnership as confirmed by raising the volume of development assistance provided by Qatar to developing countries, which exceeded 0.50% of the 2006 GDP. The Qatari economy’s openness approached 100% and foreign direct investment flows have increased. Qatar has also made progress as regards dissemination of the benefits of modern technologies in the information and communications field and securing medications for all people at reasonable cost.

The Report indicates that Qatar is following the right path towards realization of the Millennium Development Goals thanks to its adoption of policies and strategies based on clear priorities for economic and social development in harmony with the goals and targets set in the UN Millennium Declaration.

Mr. Sultan Al-kuwari finally expressed gratitudes and appreciation to Ministries and government agencies for their cooperation in the provision of up to date data related to the Millennium indicators.

The Second Report on the Millennium Development Goals *click here          
*(available in Arabic language only )

 
 
25/6/2008

Qatar’s National Vision is a foundation for the National Strategy

 

Doha, Sunday, 24 June 2008: The General Secretariat for Development Planning (GSDP) has accomplished facilitating the Qatar National Vision (QNV) process.

The vision, which has been in development for several years, received significant momentum when the General Secretariat for Development Planning (GSDP) was established last year. The GSDP has been responsible for developing Qatar’s National Vision (QNV) as part of its mandate.

The QNV process started as a response to the need for policy integration. It was based on the constitution as well as a thorough stakeholder engagement process.

The QNV provides a foundation for the formulation of a National Strategy, which GSDP will also coordinate in full partnership with stakeholders including civil society, private sector, government agencies and ministries.

The Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030 is the official document which sets out the development pathway for Qatar over the next two decades. It also openly discusses the development challenges facing Qatari society.

The Vision has been approved by HH the Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani. However, the public launch is expected to be held in the fall.

 
 
17/6/2008

H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jabor Al Thani to sit as a Governing Board member of the UNESCO Institute for Statistics

 

Doha, 16 June 2008 - In a step seen as a reflection of the growing international profile of Qatar, the Director General of UNESCO has designated H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jabor Al Thani, the QSA Acting President and Director General of the General Secretariat for Development Planning, to be a UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) Governing Board Member.

H E Sheikh Hamad will be serving in the aforementioned board for a period of four years, effective from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2011.

The UIS Governing Board is composed of 12 members, six of whom are appointed by UNESCO Director General Koïchiro Matsuura, Careful consideration and discussion takes place to ensure a Board membership that is composed of leading experts who are both users and producers of statistics relating to education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture, communication and information.

The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) was established in November 1999 and is based in Montreal, Canada. The UIS is a key player in the global "Millennium Development Goals" initiative.

The remit of UIS is to provide statistical information to inform decision-making in Member States and international organizations, and to facilitate evidence-based debate in UNESCO’s areas of focus. UIS conducts its work in the following four main action areas: the collection, validation and timely dissemination of policy-relevant cross-national statistics, indicators and related documentation; the development of methodology to underpin the collection and estimation of reliable data which can be compared cross-nationally; providing support for building the statistical and analytical capacities of Member States; and the analysis and interpretation of cross-national data.

HE Sheikh Hamad said “I see this as a great opportunity for Qatar to participate in the wider international community in a way that reflects Qatar’s development priorities in education, science and technology”
 

 
 
4/6/2008

Qatar Statistics Authority (QSA) commences the Economic Survey

 

Economic Statistics Department (ESD) of QSA commenced the economic survey on 4 June 2008. This survey covers all large establishments (employing 10 or more persons) and sample of small establishments (employing less then persons), that practicing economic activity within the State, whether industrial, commercial, services or constructions.

This survey aims to providing indicators on production and its inputs and generated value added and its distributions for all economic activities, through monitoring movement of wholesale and retail trade, industry and energy, construction, hotels and restaurants, transport and communication, the latter includes airways offices, tourism bureaus, telephones services and other relevant services, in addition to business services, which includes many sectors that provide services to the public, i.e. lawyers, accounting, engineering, consultation, market research, software development… etc., as well as social services, i.e. sports and social clubs, different recreation services, personal care services… etc.

This survey will provide a large amount of statistics, which serve planning and development in Qatar, and indicating economic growth rates in the State in all activities, used in analysis and measurement of economic indicators.

The field work of the survey is expected to last for one month, followed by editing, processing, and disseminating the final results on CDs and publications, in addition to posting the results on QSA website.

 
 
25/5/2008

Press Release

 

Qatar Statistics Authority released the annual Foreign Trade Statistical report (Exports). The data indicates that: Total value of exports for the year 2007 reached to, Billion QR 152.9 where the exports of Qatari origin commodities was QR 151.0, Billion and QR 1.9 as re-exports.

The highest values of exports ( not including re-exports) during 2007 were from the following countries:

1- Japan, with a value of QR 62.0 Billions, a share of 41.1% of total exports.
2- South Korea with a value of QR 26.7 billion, a share of 17.7% of total exports.
3- Singapore with a value of, QR 17. 2 billions , a share of 11.4% of total exports.
4- India with a value of QR 9.7 billion , a share of 6.4% of total exports.
5- Thailand with a value of QR 7.0 billion , a share of 4.6% of total exports.


                    


It worth mentioning that exports to GCC countries in the year 2007 was 6.1 billions, which equals an exports of 4.0 % related to total value of exports, and a value of 129.8 billions, which equals a percentage of 86.0% of total exports.
as well total value of exports to The European Union was 6.8 billions , which equals a percentage of 4.5% of total exports.

The highest five commodities exported during 2007 were:

1- Crude oil, a value of QR 69.8 billions
2- Liquefied natural gas, a value of 34.5 billions
3- Condensates, a value of QR 19.4 billions
4- Propane, a value of QR 4.4 billions
5- Urea, a value of QR 3.3 billions .

                      
 

 
 
19/5/2008

ESCWA Countries begin preparations for the 2010 round of Population and Housing Censuses

 

The Qatar Statistics Authority in cooperation with the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) and ESCWA will host a regional workshop on Census Management and Data Processing. The workshop will be held May 18 – 22. Highlighted will be the latest technologies for collecting and processing census data. The title of the workshop is "Contemporary technologies for data capture, methodology and practice of data editing."
 
Regional workshops are organized by the UN so countries can share experiences and gain knowledge to help plan and prepare for the population and housing census. Countries from the entire ESCWA region are invited to attend this workshop as well as international experts. In addition, some major global companies that specialize in hardware and software that can be used in census processing will be present.

His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Jabor bin Jassim Al Thani, Acting President of Qatar Statistics Authority, as well as UNSD, and ECSWA will deliver opening remarks.

The workshop will focus on the use of technology to improve the quality and efficiency of data collection, data entry and data editing activities. Several international companies will present "state of the art" products that can be useful in these areas. Workshop participants will also receive the latest version of the United Nations publication "The principles and recommendations for population and housing censuses – Revision 2."

The workshop will be held over five days. It is expected that the workshop will continue the ongoing coordination and cooperation among the GCC countries for the 2010 round of population and housing censuses. Joint side meetings of the GCC countries will focus on sharing knowledge and coordinating the implementation of new technologies.

All countries are preparing for the census in response to resolutions of the UN that call for nations of the world to conduct a census at least every 10 years and as close to 2010 as possible so the data can be comparable with that of other nations. In conjunction with this the GCC has called on its member countries to conduct a census as well.



 

 
 
6/5/2008

Workshop on statistics and indicators for education

 

The Qatar Statistics Authority (QSA) will organize a two-day workshop on statistics and indicators for education which will be attended by relevant research, academic and education institutions in Qatar.

The workshop is expected to begin with remarks by the President of Qatar Statistics Authority His Excellency Sheikh Hamad Bin Jabor Bin Jassim Al Thani and the Director of the Doha-based UNESCO Office Hamad bin Yusuf Al Humami.

The event, which is held in cooperation with Montréal- based UNESCO Institute for Statistics, UNESCO Doha Office, Qatar-UNESCO National Committee and National Workshop on Statistics and Indicators for Education, will get under way from May 6 to 7, 2008.

Over three days, the workshop will discuss a number of topics with respect to education statistics. On the first day, it will review in detail Qatar's experience in collecting and tabulating data as well as preparing education indicators.

The adoption of international standards for education in various levels of education in Qatar, the relationship between education indicators and objectives for all, and the use of indicators in the process of evaluation and follow-up will be other subjects to be discussed in the workshop.

On the second day, the workshop will focus on the analysis of indicators at a two concurrent separate sessions. The school attendance and participation will be in the first session, while the second will deal with the internal efficiency of the analysis of education indicators.

Other topics to be discussed on the second day of the workshop include a meeting on the calculation of attendance and participation indicators based on national data and calculation the internal efficiency of indicators.

The third day of the workshop will present and discuss the forms for the UNESCO Institute for Statistics in the field of education besides proposals on how to automate the collection of data relating to the State of Qatar before being sent to UNESCO.
 

 
 
9/4/2008

Press Release

 

The General Secretariat for Development Planning in coordination with the Statistical Authority will conduct a comprehensive field survey of real estates in Qatar covering all building and housing units in the State. The survey aims at:
 

  •  Identifying building in terms of status, type and year of construction

  •  Identifying housing units in terms of their number, type, mode of occupancy in addition to those being closed or vacant

  • Identifying type of acquisition (ownership, rented, government accommodation, company accommodation etc…

Survey field work will commerce on 15/4/2008 and will last for one and half month. More than 270 individuals are expected to participate in the field operation, as data collectors, head of teams, field inspectors, field supervisors.


The training program started on Sunday 6/4/2008, with the participation of 340 individuals of whom 270 will be selected according to the standards and conditions defined by the specialist in the Statistics Authority.


On this occasion His Excellency Sheikh Hamad Bin Jabor Bin Jassim Al Thani, Director General of Development Planning, Acting President of the Statistics Authority, praised this survey and its role in providing an integrated data base for building, housing units, households and individuals. This will have a positive turnout to foster the work plan dealing with studying causes of inflation and remedy policies, which is being carried out by the General Secretariat for Development Planning.


His Excellency Sheikh Hamad called upon households and individuals to cooperate with the field workers during the field survey and to provide them with the required data for a successful survey.
 

 
 
7/4/2008

Qatar Statistics Authority Hosts “The Experts Meeting on Developing National Accounts and The Seventh GCC meeting of National Accounts Directors Committee” Doha, 14 – 15 April 2008

 

Under the patronage of HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jabor bin Jassim Al Thani, Acting President of Qatar Statistics Authority (QSA), QSA will host in cooperation with The Secretariat General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf “The Experts Meeting on Developing National Accounts”. The will be opened at 9:00 Am on 14 April 2008 at Four Seasons Hotel, and will last for one day.

During this experts meeting Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar will present their experience in implementing System of National Account 1993 (SNA93) in the non-financial sector, which comprises Quarrying and Mining (Oil and Gas), Manufacturing, Wholesale and Retail Trade, Hotels and restaurants, Transport and communication and Personal Services activities.

This meeting aims to increase participants’ awareness in implementing SNA93 methodology, which KSA and Qatar experienced during the last few years, so other GCC countries can benefit from. QSA will also hosts “The Seventh meeting of GCC National Accounts Directors Committee” on 15 April 2008 at Four Seasons Hotel, and will last for one day. This meeting aims to identify obstacles and problems facing implementation of SNA93, and propose solutions for them.

Participants in the expert meeting will be National Accounts experts, while participants of the meeting will be directors of National Accounts Department at GCC Member States. .

 
 
27/3/2008

PRESS RELEASE:GDP in Qatar amounts to 232 billion Qatari riyals(QRs) at current prices in year 2007 And expected to rise to 268 billions Qatari riyals(QRs) in year 2008

 

Qatar Statistics Authority (QSA) issued the preliminary data of the gross domestic product (GDP) by economic activity at current prices for the year 2007, where Qatar’s GDP reached 232.4 billion QRs with a growth rate of (12.5%) over the 206.6 billion QRs in 2006. The tentative estimates for the year 2008 indicate that the value of GDP at current prices will amount to about 268.4 QRs with growth rate of (15.4%) compared to 2007.

Most of economic activities (oil and non-oil) encountered high growth rates during the years 2007 and 2008. Growth rate of mining and quarrying (oil and gas), which represents 55.7% of total GDP, was 9.3%, with value of 129.4 Million QR in 2007. Growth rate of Non-oil sectors, which represents 44.3% of GDP was 16.8%, with value of 103.0 Million QR in 2007.

For more details click on the picture:     or  

 
 
13/3/2008

Consultative Meeting on Qatar Labour Market Strategy

 

Under the auspices of His Excellency Sheikh Hamad Bin Jabor Bin Jassim Al Thani; Chairman of the Oversight Committee for the Labour Market Strategy, General Director of the General Secretariat for Development Planning and Acting President of the Statistics Authority; the Steering Committee for “Data Collection and Information Management” organizes a Consultative Meeting with labour data Producers and information Users, on Thursday 13 March 2008, at the Marriott Hotel, Al-Riwaq Hall.

Labour Market projects stakeholders will participate in the meeting. Projects Managers of the “Data Collection and Information Management” Steering Committee, will present their relative approach and share their views related to objectives and results with the attendants. A questionnaire to assess the pros and cons of the achievements will be distributed and discussed before conveying it to the relevant public, private and mixed sectors agencies.

 
 
31/1/2008

Experts to Develop Qatar’s Knowledge-based Economy

 

International and local experts will meet in February to further develop plans for Qatar’s knowledge-based economy.

The General Secretariat for Development Planning (GSDP) will be hosting a 5-day workshop that will explore in more detail the 5-pillars of a knowledge-based economy (KBE) for Qatar: Innovation, Education, Business Environment, ICT and Trust.

GSDP Director General Sheikh Hamad bin Jabor Al Thani says the workshop is another important milestone in Qatar’s journey towards becoming a true knowledge-based economy.

“During this workshop we expect to explore in more detail the issues and challenges we face in terms of developing Qatar as a knowledge-based economy,” he says.

“World Bank experts will facilitate the workshop and help us examine what we will have to do to develop, for example, Innovation as a plank for Qatar’s social and economic growth.”

According to Sheikh Hamad bin Jabor Al Thani the expectation is that after 5 days there will be various interesting inputs, from local and international experts, which can then be consolidated into an action plan for the future.

One of the sessions that will generate much discussion, will be around the 5th pillar Trust.

“This will be a very interesting discussion, because it talks about the type of society that we will create around the knowledge-based economy. What are the issues and values that are important to Qatari society that should be embedded in the type of knowledge-based economy we create? I am sure that this topic will generate much debate,” says Sheikh Hamad bin Jabor Al Thani.
 

 
 
29/1/2008

A New On-line Resource To Enter Qatar Next Year

 

GSDP will support a major financial resource being developed by international publishing house Bloomsbury Publishing and the Qatar Financial Centre Authority (QFC).

Qatar Finance – The Ultimate Resource is an online and print-based encyclopaedia on finance and banking being developed jointly by Bloomsbury and QFC.

QFC CEO Mr. Stuart Pearce (from right), Bloomsbury Chairman Mr Nigel Newton and Bloomsbury Publishing Director Dr Kathy Rooney met with GSDP Secretary General Dr Ibrahim al Ibrahim and GSDP Director General Shk. Hamad bin Jabor Al Thani on Sunday 20 January to discuss involvement with the resource.

The resource, which will be available in print and on on-line, will involve more than 300 writers and a 1.5 million word database. All parties in the discussion agreed that the new financial resource project will be of a great importance to Qatar and its National Vision and look forward to actively cooperating on the initiative.

For more information on the resource:

http://www.bloomsbury-ir.co.uk/html/media/press_releases/100907.html

 
 
22/1/2008

PPC Holds Workshop on Population Policy

   

Doha • The Permanent Population Committee (PPC) at the General Secretariat for Development Planning (GSDP) will organize a workshop on Thursday, January 31 at Marriott hotel, to discuss the population policy draft. The workshop will be held under the patronage of the PPC Chairman, HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jabor Al Thani.

This Workshop will bring together representative from all ministries, government departments, university professors, experts, specialists and interested private sector institutions.

The purpose of the workshop is to consult and seek the opinions of all stakeholders about the three document finalized recently by the PPC after long consultation with different population policy experts. Senior official at the GSDP said the Technical Bureau at the PPC has finalised initial draft on the population policy, which requires feedback from the meeting.

According to the PPC officials, the draft includes three documents covered all the component of the population policy which addresses important issues relating to population policies; the first document discusses the challenges facing population, the second document deals with principles, goals and objectives of population policy, while the third document includes the detailed programme designed for attaining the desired goals and objectives.

The population issues were classified under six categories namely: Population and Workforce, Education, Training and Human Resources Development, General Health and Reproductive Health, Empowerment, Environment and Sustainable Development and Database and National Indicators.

The workshop comes as part of the PPC's efforts that aim at generating profound discussion on key issues included in the documents, strengthening the principles of transparency and partnership as well as seeking opinions from across the entire agencies implementing the population policy.

Senior PPC official said "Opinions and remarks collected from stakeholders and agencies will be taken into consideration when drafting the final version of the document".
 

Once approved, he said, the final document will be submitted to the Council of Ministers for approval before announcing its contents in a national conference to be held for this purpose.

 
 
8/1/20088

PPC Participates in the "Regional Workshop on “Enhancing the Skills of Demographers and Population Experts in Demographic Analysis"

 

A delegation from the Permanent Population Committee (PPC) at the GSDP has participated in a regional workshop titled: " Strengthening the Skills of Demographers and Population Experts in Demographic Analysis and its Relationship with Development”, on 5 and 6 December 2007, held in the United Arab Emirates.

The workshop was organized by the Population and Social Policy work group – of Social Development Division - at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN-ESCWA), in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA),

Participants in the meeting, included experts from UN-ESCWA, the UNFPA, the United Arab Emirates University, and number of experts in the fields of social science and economics, national agencies for planning and information and national councils and committees. The meeting brings together as well researchers in regional research centers specialized in demography, planning and development and the Arab League.

The objectives of the workshop were:

1. Improve the process of decision-making in light of the contemporary concepts of demographic analysis and the quantitative and qualitative dimensions that should be taken into account.


2. Adopt an integrated approach in setting national development policies in order to ensure an accord between economic and social policies; as inconsistency of different socio-economic policies leads, in many occasions, to social exclusion and preferring specific social categories. The workshop intended to assist in understanding the complex linkages between demographic and socio-economic changes.


3. Strengthen the relationship between the institutions responsible for the process of decision-making and research centers to ensure compatibility of decision making process and improve their role in disseminating contemporary and up-to-date knowledge.


4. Discuss the basic components of a guide or manual, which includes theoretical and conceptual aspects of demographic analysis. The guide, which will help upgrade demographic knowledge and define its indicators, will be used by those concerned with demographic analysis and development planning.
 

 
 
6/1/2008

QSA to organize Sub-Regional Workshop on Human Development Indicators

 

In cooperation with the United Nations Human Development Programme - in particular, UNDP’s Human Development Report Office and its Regional Bureau for the Arab States, the Qatar Statistics Authority (QSA) will organize a Sub-Regional Workshop on Human Development Indicators for the Gulf Cooperation Council member states on 21-23 January, 2008 in the Doha Marriott Hotel.

The QSA has invited a range of UN and international organizations, which are responsible for indicators or datasets relevant to the measurement of human development issues, to attend the workshop.

The event is aims at bringing together senior statisticians, focal points and practitioners in the Gulf States with responsibility for the production of Human Development Report (HDR), from national statistical offices and relevant Government Ministries. The event is intended to complement other work in the region in support of the MDGs. There is a need in particular to increase use of disaggregated data to foster evidence based, people-centred planning; enhance human development analysis on which policy proposals are based; and establish a better understanding of differences between national, regional and global data.

The objective of the workshop is to increase the quality and policy relevance of statistical work in the GCC region. Innovative measurement work will be encouraged, while adhering to statistical standards. Through technical guidance, substantive exchanges and the sharing of experiences, the workshop will seek to develop the competencies to support human development policies based on comprehensive and objective data.

 The workshop aims to:

• propose solutions to existing methodological and data challenges in the region;

 • discuss the roles of national, regional, and international data collectors and users, and challenges involving standardized data, their timeliness and comparability;

• Explore a number of crosscutting themes relevant to forthcoming sub-regional or national analytical reports and their data implications.

 • Identify how to better link data with the policy recommendations outlined in the reports.

• Share strategies on the effective use of HD data for outreach and advocacy purposes, and

• Encourage new approaches and methodologies for measuring HD by sharing innovative practices drawing on research and experience of HDRs and the wider statistical community.

 The workshop will give an opportunity to the participants from GCC member states and the international organizations to share their latest information about their national human development indicators. It will also allow them to present their national experience in preparing analytical reports such as MDG Monitoring Reports or national or regional Human Development Reports and the challenges they face.

It is expected that the event will begin with an introductory remarks and welcome by HE Hamad bin Jabor bin Jassim Al Thani, QSA President, and Alison Kennedy, UNDP Representative. While Dr. Ahmad Hussein, as the chair of meeting, will brief the audience on the objectives of the workshop

The agenda of the workshop can be downloaded from here.

 
 

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