Objectives of the Forum include:

• Assessing the progress made since the first two forums and learning about challenges of implementation of case studies, sharing experience and knowledge.

• Enhancing the concept of statistics for development and achieving the MDGs through developing national strategies for the development of statistics (NSDS).

• Enhancing and encouraging effective participation of donors at the national, regional, and international levels in designing, preparing and financing the implementation of NSDSs.

• Exploring the future perspectives to enhance statistical systems in the Arab region.

• Identifying Arab region views and contribution to the Second World Forum on Statistics, Knowledge, and Policy.