From 30 September to 2 October, ESCWA, in collaboration with national statistical offices (NSOs) from across the region and the World Bank, held a regional meeting to explore ways to improve the quality and reliability of price data under the International Comparison Program (ICP). The meeting introduced a new platform for producing Purchasing Power Parities (PPPs), which includes tools for item list management, data entry, validation, and aggregation, helping to streamline price data processes and enhance accuracy.
Through technical sessions and practical exercises, participants discussed country applications of the 2024 ICP surveys and topics such as household consumption, private education, housing rents, and construction.
The meeting strengthened national capacities and promoted the adoption of unified data practices, supporting the production of reliable and transparent PPP indicators that inform evidence-based policymaking in the Arab region.
