UN World Data Forum begins today

2,000 data leaders from over 100 countries will attend the meeting

2,000 data leaders from more than 100 countries will attend the event in Dubai |

The United Nations World Data Forum 2018, kicks off today at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, bringing together nearly 2,000 data leaders from more than 100 countries.

The forum’s second edition taking place from October 2224, is hosted by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (FCSA), with the support of the Statistics Division of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

Gaps and challenges

Data experts attending the event from national statistical offices, the private sector, NGOs, academia, and international and regional organisations, will gather to collaborate and tackle data gaps and challenges, launch new initiatives and identify mechanisms to increase financing and support for better data for sustainable development.

“People are interested in finding out more about data — how it can transform the lives of people, how it can help a society achieve prosperity, and how it can be a tool in making a difference in people’s lives,” said Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Director General of the UAE Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority and chairman of the Organising Committee of the UN World Data Forum 2018 during a press conference yesterday.