Doha, June 26 (QNA) - HE Secretary-General of the National Planning Council Dr. Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak Al Khalifa announced the launch of the newly revamped Qatar Open Data Platform, which now features over 1,100 datasets spanning various sectors.

The announcement came during his opening remarks today at the forum on integrated national data governance, organized by the National Statistics Center within the National Planning Council. The forum is part of a strategic initiative launched by the Council to work directly with planning, quality, and IT departments across ministries and government entities, under the umbrella of the National Data and Statistics Strategy, which aims to strengthen data governance and promote institutional integration in managing government information.

HE Dr. Al Khalifa noted that the National Data Program, a core component of the strategy, has achieved significant milestones in recent months, aligned with the goals of Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy. One of the most prominent achievements, he said, is the issuance of the National Data Policy, approved by the National Planning Council, which established key principles for governance, integration, and shared responsibility in data management and oversight.

He added that open data has become a critical factor in attracting foreign investment and facilitating informed economic decision-making, directly contributing to Qatar’s goals of economic growth and diversification.

He also emphasized that the National Statistics Center, through this periodically held forum, aims to share updates on the National Data Program, outline collaboration mechanisms with government entities, and present national data governance platform initiatives. The forum also serves to answer questions from participating entities, clarify their roles and responsibilities in executing the National Data Governance Program, and inform them of the technical and training support provided to help align transformation efforts with national data policies.

He also said that this forum continues the efforts initiated by the Council following the launch of the National Data and Statistics Strategy in May, under the patronage of HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the National Planning Council Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani. The strategy, he said, marks the beginning of a series of ambitious national initiatives aimed at advancing Qatar’s data ecosystem. 

The forum focused on showcasing progress in developing tools for the National Data Program, particularly the Open Data Platform. A visual presentation was delivered explaining the platform’s technical components and operational goals. The presentation also addressed ways to promote transparency by making government data accessible according to global best practices, supporting innovation and building public trust.

On the regulatory front, the National Planning Council team delivered a detailed presentation on national policies, standards, and regulations related to data governance. This included an explanation of compliance mechanisms and data handling procedures within government entities. It was led by Director of the national data affairs department at the National Statistics Center Maha Rashid Al Mutawa, who outlined the relevant institutional and legislative frameworks.

Regarding capacity building, Senior Statistics Researcher at the Center Maha Abdullah Al Sharif announced the launch of a series of training programs and specialized workshops that the center will organize. These training sessions will include both theoretical and practical content and will be delivered in-person and online according to a set schedule. Their aim is to enhance the capabilities of government departments in managing, analyzing, and governing data, improving institutional readiness and promoting effective data use in government operations.

The forum also highlighted institutional partnerships that contribute to the success of the National Data Program, especially strategic collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Cybersecurity Agency, to ensure the readiness of digital infrastructure and alignment of national technical and regulatory frameworks.

Additionally, the forum showcased active technical partnerships with leading digital solution providers like Microsoft and Informatica. Microsoft presented its intelligent data management ecosystem using Azure and Microsoft Fabric, demonstrating how these tools support integration, interoperability, and real-time data analysis. Informatica introduced its Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC) platform, which supports building a unified national data catalog and establishing a transparent and standardized data management system. These tools help improve the quality of government data and expand its usefulness in shaping public policy.

The forum concluded with an open dialogue between government representatives and technology providers to align technical needs with strategic objectives, exchange expertise, and share best practices in building and operating national data platforms, such as the national data catalog, national data marketplace, and government database platforms.

Data is a fundamental pillar in supporting national decision-making, enabling deeper insights into current realities and more precise resource allocation. It also plays a vital role in setting development priorities and formulating evidence-based public policies.

With accurate and up-to-date data, relevant authorities can assess the impact of policies, measure progress, and anticipate challenges, thereby enhancing the agility and effectiveness of government performance in responding to changing circumstances.

The National Data Program lies at the heart of the State of Qatar’s efforts to build a trusted, comprehensive data system that enhances public policy effectiveness and supports digital transformation and innovation.

The National Planning Council plays a central role in leading this transformation through the implementation of the National Data and Statistics Strategy, which is being translated into action through 21 initiatives comprising 128 projects scheduled over three years.

This integrated approach reflects the state’s commitment to establishing an institutional environment that relies on accurate data for decision-making and strengthens public confidence in the outcomes of government work—aligned with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 and reinforcing Qatar’s leadership regionally and globally in the field of data governance. (QNA)