ArabStat Initiative

Establishment of the Initiative

The Arab Monetary Fund, in collaboration with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), organized a high-level technical meeting in Abu Dhabi on 14 and 15 January 2013 to discuss the launch of the Arab Statistics Initiative (ArabStat). The meeting brought together senior officials from statistical agencies and departments in 15 Arab countries to address challenges in developing economic and financial statistics and explore ways to strengthen regional statistical cooperation.

Participants emphasized the importance of establishing a regional statistical framework under the name ArabStat to support the development of statistical systems and capacities and enhance cooperation among Arab countries, with technical collaboration between AMF and the IMF.

Participants called for the initiative to be launched under the auspices of AMF, in cooperation with the IMF and relevant regional and international institutions and organizations. Agreement was also reached on the initiative’s objectives, implementation mechanisms, and the terms of reference of its Technical Committee. The Committee comprises heads of statistical agencies and centers in Arab countries or their representatives, alongside representatives from Arab ministries of finance and central banks. AMF was designated to serve as the Secretariat of the Technical Committee and the executive body of the initiative.