AMMAN — Director-General of the Department of Statistics Haider Fraihat co-chaired the closing conference of the Euro-Mediterranean Statistical Cooperation Programme (MEDSTAT V) in Vienna with the European Union, which concluded on Thursday.

 

The three-day conference brought together heads of national statistical offices and coordinators from the EU's southern countries, along with representatives from Eurostat and international partners, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

 

The conference aimed to assess national and regional statistical achievements since the launch of MEDSTAT V, as participants focused on methodologies to improve data quality, standardisation, and international comparability.

 

Fraihat participated in discussions on integrating artificial intelligence into statistical production to increase data accuracy.

 

He also addressed ways to enhance the readiness of southern Mediterranean statistical systems for modern digital technology, stressing the upgrade of administrative records to replace costly traditional surveys.

 

On the sidelines of the event, Fraihat met with Eurostat directors and heads of statistical agencies to exchange expertise.

 

During a session with Director of Standards Dissemination and Cooperation at Eurostat Jean-Pierre Poncelet, participants discussed the Mediterranean Charter and its action plan.

 

Fraihat stressed the key role of official statistics in supporting and monitoring regional initiatives.

 

The meetings concluded with a review of future cooperation initiatives with southern Mediterranean countries, which include the European Statistics Code of Practice and the Euro-Mediterranean Statistical Cooperation Strategy for 2028-2034, highlighting the importance of continued partnership to build a sustainable statistical system.