Organised by Sharjah’s Department of Statistics and Community Development (DSCD) under the theme ‘Driving Change,’ the two-day event at Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre will focus on six key sectors where data is pivotal to development: healthcare, education, infrastructure, sustainability, technology and AI, and business. The forum will explore how data can enhance healthcare services, predict future labour market trends, design and construct smart, sustainable cities, optimise resource management, and improve communities' overall quality of life. Additionally, it will underscore the importance of data in monitoring climate change, developing sustainable environmental solutions, and providing critical insights for entrepreneurs to enhance the competitiveness of start-ups.
Global leaders and thought pioneers
To facilitate in-depth discussions across these sectors, the forum will feature four specialised halls for panel discussions and keynote addresses bringing together experts from diverse fields to engage in discourse on the latest trends and challenges in data.
The inaugural edition will host distinguished figures, including former presidents, ministers, and global thought leaders. Notable attendees include Kersti Kaljulaid, former President of Estonia; H.E Dr Hala El Said, Economic Advisor to President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt and former Minister of Planning & Economic Development; Andrej Kiska, former President of Slovakia; Dr Magued Osman, former Egyptian Minister of Communications and Information Technology and CEO and Managing Director of Baseera– Egyptian Center for Public Opinion Research; and Anna König Jerlmyr, former Mayor of Stockholm.
The forum will also feature prominent thought leaders and business figures, including Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Government Relations in Sharjah; Professor Dr. Ger Graus, Global Education Adviser; Chris Barton, Founder of Shazam; Dr. Khaled Ghattas; and Dr Khalil Al-Ziyoud. These speakers will offer their insights through a series of inspirational talks on how data can be leveraged to drive personal, familial, and professional success.
Workshops led by regional and international experts
The forum will feature six halls hosting over 24 workshops, organised in collaboration with regional and international partners, including Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford, the University of Birmingham, the Arab Institute for Training and Research in Statistics, the Rochester Institute of Technology in Dubai, and the American University of Sharjah. The workshops aim to provide participants with the advanced skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the data field.
To strengthen international collaboration in the data sector, the forum has forged strategic partnerships with esteemed global institutions, including the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), the GCC Statistical Centre, the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, and Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi (SCAD), underscoring the forum’s significance at both regional and international levels.
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