Abstract

The large-scale digitalization of various aspects of social, economic, and individual behaviors within and across countries has resulted in a radical change in the nature and volume of data on socio-economic developments. Its application is changing, with demand going beyond the traditional scope. Data is generated essentially everywhere using mobile devices, GPS, and other sensors, household appliances, spacecraft, and social networks. Its composition is becoming more varied and is constantly updated. These data sources can be very useful for policy purposes of developing the 3rd Qatar National Development Strategy and mainstreaming the SDGs.
The range of data sources is also expanding, along with the generated data types, including common quantitative and qualitative characteristics of various objects, processes, or phenomena, as well as textual, audio-visual, and other "technological" formats. New data can supplement or refine the results of previous observations or even radically change them.
Due to the growth rate and increasing complexity of global processes, the role of official statistics has profoundly changed. The report of the fifty-third session of the United Nations Statistical Commission welcomed the report of the Working Group on Data Stewardship, appreciated the work accomplished, and "recommended the development of a framework outlining the definition and application of the data stewardship concept, the advantages of assigning the role of data steward to the national statistical office."
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted a growing recognition among decision-makers in Qatar of how important reliable detailed information is to understand many of the issues facing national development strategies. There is an urgent need for a resilient and effective data ecosystem, as pressing problems and critical events are often unexpected. New and mutually beneficial partnerships are required to facilitate connecting data from different institutions. The expanding role of official statistics should consider adapting governance and data stewardship to a digital society.
Data culture promotes continuous modernization and innovation to expand the role of official statistics by encouraging staff members to find new ways to maximize the value of their statistics and data. As experts integrate different data sources and look at the information in creative ways, they gain deeper insight leading to even better decisions. A thriving data culture is supported by a strong data foundation. We must invest time and resources in things like data governance, data condition, data quality, data analysis, data strategy, and data infrastructure to ensure we are ready to make data-driven decisions.
Data culture extends beyond IT and includes every part of the data and official statistics domains approved and identified by the Statistical Commission of the United Nations in its 54th session. A shared belief that data supports better decisions and results is essential to foster a better data culture. Data should be treated as valuable as gold