The Statistics Centre - Abu Dhabi (SCAD) has organised the Abu Dhabi Statistics Stakeholders Forum (ADSSF) for the year 2024, with the aim to enhance cooperation between the government and private sectors in the field of data. Senior officials and representatives from key government and private entities participated in the event.

The forum, held on Thursday, June 27, 2024, brought together representatives from federal and local government entities, as well as private sector institutions involved in implementing economic statistical surveys during 2023. During the forum, a panel discussion was held to explore ways to improve data collaboration and development of statistical ecosystem in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi level.

His Excellency Ahmed Tamim Al Kuttab, Chairman of the Department of Government Enablement (DGE), emphasised the importance of joint efforts between the government and private sectors to develop an advanced statistical ecosystem that provides innovative solutions, ultimately contributing to societal well-being and prosperity.

His Excellency said: "We remain committed to meeting our society's needs by enabling a flexible government that adapts to using cutting-edge solutions, aligning with our leadership vision to make Abu Dhabi an attractive destination for work, living, and investment."

He further emphasized: “The cooperation between the government and private sector is essential to drive the success via innovative initiatives that leverage data for anticipating growth opportunities and promoting sustainable development across all sectors in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.”

In this context, His Excellency Abdulla Gharib Alqemzi, Acting Director-General of SCAD, said: “Abu Dhabi Statistics Stakeholders Forum 2024 highlights the vital projects aligned with the emirate's strategy that are designed to empower the government of future and to address the social and economic aspirations of Abu Dhabi's residents.” 

H.E. said: “Among these projects, the Abu Dhabi Census 2023 stands out as a distinguished achievement marked by innovation at all levels. The census results vividly reflected the Emirate of Abu Dhabi’s development and progress. By relying on administrative records, the project saved time and effort, eliminating the need for field surveys. This approach allowed for real-time and updated data collection, rather than conducting the census every ten years.” 

H.E. added: “Such an achievement was not possible without the effective collaboration of local and federal government entities and companies.” 

Future of Government Decisions 
During the forum, the Statistics Centre - Abu Dhabi announced the launch of the “Bayaan” smartphone application, which provides decision makers with real-time data and statistics that can be translated into effective plans and strategies set for achieving the economic and social aspirations of the residents of Abu Dhabi.
The Bayaan application allows government and public users to customise interactive information panels and analytical dashboards to understand the effects of various policies on the economy and society.

Future of Government Data
The forum witnessed active participation from government partners in a panel discussion entitled “The Future of Government Data,” which addressed the role of government data in serving policy and decision makers. 
Participating in the session were His Excellency Saeed Al Fazari, Executive Director of the Strategic Affairs Sector at the Department of Culture and Tourism, Her Excellency Aisha Ibrahim Al Marzouqi, Executive Director of the Customer Experience Sector at “TAMM,” and His Excellency Yousef Fahd, Executive Director of Statistics Sector at the Statistics Centre - Abu Dhabi and Ibrahim Al Jallaf, Division Director of Digital Health at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH). 

Data Experts Community of Practice
During the forum, His Excellency Dr. Yasser Ahmed Al Naqbi, Director General of the Department of Government Enablement’s GovAcademy, presented an overview of the ‘Data Experts Community’ initiative which aims to enhance the exchange of knowledge and technical expertise in the field of data among specialists, fostering innovation and professional growth within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
In this context, His Excellency said: “the expert communities involving government entities contribute significantly to improving efficiency in the work environment. This improvement ranges between 10% and 30%, leading to enhanced service quality and increased customer satisfaction (up to 30%). Additionally, such collaboration results in time savings of up to 15% in project implementation. Furthermore, activating cooperation between experts, as supported by World Bank data, contributes to raising the gross domestic product by up to 2%.” 
He added: “To achieve these goals, the Department of Government Enablement works to enhance the qualifications and capabilities of employees in the Abu Dhabi government, aiming to improve performance levels and the quality of services provided to the public.”

The Statistical Training Institute of the Statistics Centre - Abu Dhabi, through the community of data experts, organises workshops, and training courses to review the latest developments and global best practices in data governance and science, guiding specialists on providing accurate and reliable official data.

Recognition of Stakeholders
On the other hand, the forum celebrated the success of the Abu Dhabi Census 2023 project by recognising stakeholders from federal and local government entities in appreciation of their role in the first register-based census in Abu Dhabi, which relied on the advanced digital infrastructure and access to exceptional levels of coordination and integration between government entities. 
The recognition was done by members of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, H.E. Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, the Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), H.E. Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, the Chairman of Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DOH) and H.E. Ahmed Tamim Hisham Al Kuttab, the Chairman of the Department of Government Enablement (DGE). 
Also, His Excellency Abdulla Gharib Alqemzi, Acting Director-General of SCAD, honored top establishments from the private sector in appreciation of their distinguished response and effective cooperation in the field of data during the year 2023. At the conclusion of the forum, a group of distinguished field researchers was recognised for their valuable role in implementing statistical projects throughout the past year.
The Abu Dhabi Statistics Stakeholders Forum (ADSSF) is part of SCAD’s commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships and maintaining constructive communication with representatives from both the government and private sectors. Through the unified efforts, these partnerships contribute to the growth of Abu Dhabi’s economy. Furthermore, the forum serves as an opportunity to honor partners who significantly contribute to the development of the statistical system in the emirate.