Saudi Arabia has postponed the sixth United Nations World Data Forum and the second Saudi Statistics Forum, both scheduled to take place in Riyadh next month, until 2027.
The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) announced the decision but did not provide a reason for the postponement. The events were originally scheduled for November 9 to 12, with new dates to be announced through official channels.
In a statement, GASTAT said the decision reflected its commitment to delivering an event that meets the expectations of the international data and statistics community and attracts broad participation from speakers, experts and partners.
The authority said the postponement would help strengthen the expected impact of the UN World Data Forum, which brings together representatives from governments, national statistical offices, international organisations, civil society, academic institutions and the private sector.
The forum is one of the major international gatherings focused on data and statistics. Previous announcements indicated that it could attract more than 20,000 participants from around the world.
GASTAT confirmed that its “Road to Riyadh” events would continue as planned. The programme aims to encourage international cooperation, promote the exchange of statistical expertise and support knowledge-sharing among organisations and professionals.
The announcement follows the postponement of Saudi Arabia’s flagship Future Investment Initiative (FII), which was scheduled to take place in Riyadh from October 26 to 29. The 10th edition of the investment conference has also been moved to 2027, with organisers expected to announce revised dates.
The FII Institute said on October 19 that the decision reflected its commitment to partners, members, speakers and participants, as well as its intention to ensure the conference meets expectations.
Neither GASTAT nor the World Data Forum announcement directly linked the latest postponement to regional security developments or the decision involving the FII conference.
The changes come amid a broader series of event postponements and rescheduling across Saudi Arabia and the Middle East as regional tensions affect international gatherings.
Saudi Arabia’s technology conference LEAP, initially scheduled for April 13 to 16, was rescheduled amid regional tensions. Its fifth edition eventually took place from August 31 to September 3, concluding with more than $15 billion in announced investments and partnerships.
Other events have also been affected. Intersec Saudi Arabia, originally scheduled for November 16 to 18, has been moved to October 2027, while the Saudi Retail Forum, planned for November 19, has been rescheduled for March.
Saudi Arabia and the European Union have also postponed a planned summit, adding to the list of international engagements affected by the changing regional situation.
Although the reasons for the World Data Forum postponement remain unspecified, the revised schedule means the international data gathering will no longer take place in Riyadh in November as originally planned.
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