SESRIC hosted a special event at its headquarters in Ankara to officially launch the 2023 edition of the “Statistical Yearbook on OIC Member Countries” and the new version of the OIC Statistics Database (OICStat). The event was attended by the Ambassadors of Bangladesh, Palestine, Mauritania, Sudan, and Saudi Arabia, along with representatives from various embassies and international organizations, researchers, and officials from the relevant Turkish national institutions, notably the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat).

The opening session commenced with remarks from H.E. Zehra Zümrüt SELÇUK; H.E. Dr. Ahmad Kawesa SENGENDO, OIC Assistant Secretary General for Economic Affairs; Dr. Erhan ÇETİNKAYA, President of the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat); and H.E. Faed Khaled Abed MUSTAFA, Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Türkiye.

In her opening remarks, H.E. SELÇUK emphasized that accurate information is crucial not only for evidence-based policymaking but also for revealing the stark reality of the world beyond the mere numbers. She stressed that some numbers are not just statistics – they represent lives stolen, families torn apart, cities demolished, and futures destroyed. She also highlighted the tragic ongoing genocide in Gaza, where, since October 7, over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed, more than 100,000 have been injured, and nearly 2 million have been displaced. Moreover, due to the ongoing blockade, 9 out of 10 children in Gaza suffer from malnutrition.

Following her remarks, H.E Amb. Dr. Ahmad Kawesa SENGENDO, delivered a video message where he underlined the importance of data and statistics on various socio-economic fields, as they are vital for measuring and monitoring developmental progress in OIC countries. He congratulated SESRIC on the successful launch of the 2023 Statistical Yearbook and the new version of the OICStat Database, further highlighting SESRIC's pivotal role as the main source of data and information for evidence-based policymaking in OIC countries.

H.E. Dr. Erhan ÇETİNKAYA, acknowledged during his speech SESRIC's commitment to enhancing statistical capacity and promoting evidence-based policymaking for sustainable development and socio-economic progress across OIC countries, and this event marks a significant advancement in enhancing data-driven insights for the member countries. He also highlighted the strong partnership between TurkStat and SESRIC over the decades, emphasizing how this collaboration has played a pivotal role in advancing data-driven insights and fostering cooperation among OIC countries.

H.E. MUSTAFA, Ambassador of Palestine and a special guest at this event, reaffirmed in his speech that Palestine remains the beating heart of the Islamic Ummah, urging the global community to confront the suffering caused by the Israeli occupation. He highlighted the dire situation in Gaza, where families face unprecedented violence, destruction, and displacement, with even hospitals and schools under attack. Despite these immense hardships, the resilience of the Palestinian people endures. He called for unified efforts to support Palestine’s rightful claim to an independent state with Al-Quds as its capital.

Following the formal launch, SESRIC provided detailed insights into the content and structure of the Statistical Yearbook and the new version of the OICStat database.

The 2023 edition of the Statistical Yearbook (SYB), one of SESRIC’s flagship publications, offers a comprehensive overview of key socio-economic indicators for the 57 OIC member countries. The 2023 edition of the Yearbook, one of SESRIC’s flagship publications, offers a comprehensive analysis of 251 socio-economic indicators across 22 categories, providing crucial data for the 57 OIC member countries from 2000 to 2023.

In addition, SESRIC unveiled the enhanced OICStat database, which continues to be the most comprehensive data resource for the OIC region. OICStat now offers more than 1,800 indicators under 27 categories, dating back to 1970, and is accessible in three languages: Arabic, English, and French.

A significant part of the event was the panel discussion on “Strengthening the Role of Data for Policy Making”. The panel focused on the essential role that reliable data plays in shaping effective policymaking, particularly in OIC countries. Representatives from relevant international and national institutions gathered to discuss how data-driven decisions can contribute to sustainable socio-economic development and enhance cooperation across various sectors.

The session moderated by Mr. Onur ÇAĞLAR, Director of Statistics and Information Department at SESRIC, and featured the following distinguished panelists:

• Dr. Nosratollah NAFAR, Country Economist, IsDB Group Regional Hub in Türkiye
• Ms. Aysel YÜKSEL, Programme Analyst, UNFPA Türkiye
• Dr. Mustafa Utku ÖZMEN, Country Economist, World Bank Türkiye Office
• Mr. Emre AKYÜZ, Programme and Monitoring Support Specialist, FAO

The discussions emphasized the growing importance of high-quality data in addressing challenges related to socio-economic development, environmental sustainability, and crisis management. Participants explored how evidence-based policymaking can drive progress and ensure a better future for OIC countries.

To access the Concept Note and the Work Programme, please click

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