PBS hosts Data Fest-2024 at Pak-China Friendship Centre
The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) proudly hosted Data Fest-2024 at the Pak China Friendship Centre, bringing together experts, researchers, and data enthusiasts from diverse fields to explore the critical role of data in shaping policies and driving innovation for a better future. The main strategic partners for DataFest-2024 are UNICEF, UNFPA, the World Bank, ILO, UNHCR, FAO, ADB. These organizations bring extensive expertise in global development, public health, and education.
Under the theme “Data for Life and Equity”, the festival addressed key areas such as Fiscal Resilience, Governance and Growth, Climate Change Adaptation, Disaster Risk Management, and Data Integration and Visualization. The aim was to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and actionable strategies to tackle pressing challenges in Pakistan, including healthcare access, social equity, and sustainable development.
The event was inaugurated by the Honourable Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal. He commended PBS for organizing Data Fest-2024, highlighting its potential to develop data-driven solutions for Pakistan’s challenges. He stressed the importance of collaboration among experts to tackle issues like demographic growth and urbanization, which require innovative strategies.
He emphasized the government’s commitment to leveraging data for national progress. He underscored the importance of data-driven decision-making in addressing key issues such as poverty alleviation, education, and healthcare while encouraging collaboration between public and private sectors. He highlighted the importance of utilizing big data and data analytic for the prosperity and well-being of Pakistan’s future.
Chief Statistician Dr. Naeem-uz-Zafar (Sitara-i-Imtiaz) welcomed all honorable guests and emphasized the significance of collaboration and knowledge sharing in advancing data science. Secretary, Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Mr. Awais Manzur Sumra in his remarks at Data Fest, highlighted the event’s role in uniting experts to explore data innovations.
He appreciated PBS efforts for organizing succesful Data Fest-2024, and thanked all international delegations of Nepal, Oman, Thailand, Australia, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Iran for their participation and all university students for joining this event.
In a major step to enhance collaboration across sectors, multiple Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed with organizations in technology, academia, finance, and government. These partnerships aim to advance key initiatives, including collaborative research on cutting-edge data technologies like artificial intelligence and big data, and to develop educational programs that up-skill professionals in data science.
