ShareKUWAIT: Kuwait’s Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) has emphasized the importance of presenting the country’s vision at the 56th session of the United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSD), highlighting the crucial role of international cooperation and knowledge exchange in advancing statistical methodologies. Speaking to KUNA, Acting Director General of CSB Wafa Al-Yahya stated that Kuwait’s participation in the session reflects its commitment to aligning with international standards and practices to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Al-Yahya noted that CSB has outlined a comprehensive vision addressing various agenda topics, submitting 20 documents to the UNSD’s website under Kuwait’s name. The vision includes key proposals, such as the adoption of the 2025 System of National Accounts as an international standard with flexible implementation mechanisms.
Additionally, Kuwait’s recommendations advocate for enhanced regional and international cooperation in census-taking, the adoption of innovative methodologies to improve inclusivity, and the advancement of digital infrastructure. The vision also stresses the need for greater collaboration with the UN Economic and Social Council and the modernization of the commission’s operations. Further recommendations call for adherence to the fundamental principles of official statistics, updating the SDG indicator database, strengthening partnerships with international organizations, and improving data quality on migration while accounting for regional particularities. Al-Yahya underscored the importance of empowering regional bodies such as the GCC Statistical Center and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) to support member states in implementing global statistical standards.
She also highlighted Kuwait’s participation in ESCWA’s Statistical Committee meeting as part of preparations for the UN Statistical Commission session, alongside representatives from international organizations and national statistical agencies. Reaffirming Kuwait’s commitment to bolstering the global statistical framework, Al-Yahya stressed the country’s dedication to strengthening partnerships with regional organizations, including ESCWA and the GCC Statistical Center.
GCC inflation rises
The Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC) general inflation rate increased to 1.7 percent by the end of October 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, according to data from the GCC Statistical Center (GCCSC). The primary drivers of inflation were a 6.4 percent rise in housing costs and a three percent increase in the services and commodities sector, the report indicated. The restaurant and hotel sector saw a 1.7 percent uptick, while culture and entertainment rose by 1.4 percent, education by 1.2 percent, and food and beverages by 0.8 percent. However, transport prices declined by 3.6 percent, while household furniture and equipment, tobacco, communication, and clothing and footwear recorded decreases of 1.9 percent, 1.1 percent, 0.9 percent, and 0.4 percent, respectively.
The report also highlighted global inflation figures for October 2024, with the European Union registering an inflation rate of 2.3 percent, Brazil at 4.8 percent, India at 4.4 percent, the UK at 3.2 percent, the US at 2.6 percent, Japan at 2.3 percent, Germany at 2 percent, South Korea at 1.3 percent, France at 1.2 percent, Italy at 0.9 percent, and China at 0.3 percent. Headquartered in Oman, the GCCSC serves as the official statistical authority for the Gulf region, providing essential economic and statistical data for member states. — KUNA
