GCC Secretary-General: Gulf Housing Week Reflects Development of Housing Cooperation System
The Secretary-General of the GCC confirmed that the events of the Housing Week reflect the development and expansion of Gulf housing cooperation.
Translated by Qiyas from كونا — Original source
Manama, September 30 (KUNA) -- Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Al-Budaiwi said here on Wednesday that the events of the GCC Housing Week, including an innovation conference, a housing exhibition, a hackathon competition, and the GCC Housing Award, clearly reflect the development and expansion of the GCC housing cooperation system.
This statement came during Al-Budaiwi’s participation in the Fourth GCC Housing Week Innovation Conference for Social Housing, attended by the ministers responsible for housing affairs in GCC member states.
During his speech, he praised the numerous and advanced steps taken by the Kingdom of Bahrain toward the housing sector, noting its significant contributions to joint GCC efforts and its advanced experience in developing the housing sector. He added that Bahrain’s expansion of partnerships with real estate developers and the provision of housing services through electronic platforms is a source of pride and honor. He emphasized that the housing sector holds a special place in the development trajectory of GCC countries, as it is not limited to providing shelter but is directly linked to quality of life, urban planning, economic and social development, and resource sustainability.
In the same context, Al-Budaiwi noted that housing cooperation has received attention in joint GCC work and has witnessed notable progress in recent years. The Joint GCC Housing Action Plan for 2024–2030 was introduced to establish a new phase aimed at enhancing cooperation and integration, and developing housing policies and programs to keep pace with economic and social changes.
He continued, “The leaders of the GCC countries – may God protect and guard them – adopted at the 46th session of the Supreme Council the Unified Rules for Owners of Joint Properties in GCC countries, a significant step toward developing the regulatory environment of the real estate and housing sectors and enhancing convergence in the frameworks governing them.”
He stressed that these achievements represent a cumulative reservoir of experiences, policies, and joint initiatives in the journey of GCC housing cooperation, and that our responsibility today is to build on this reservoir and accelerate the transition from exchanging successful experiences to broadening their utilization across the Gulf.
Al-Budaiwi also clarified that efforts to develop the housing sector are no longer confined to government policies and programs; rather, they are based on an integrated system that brings together government entities, the private sector, financial institutions, specialists, innovators, and youth, leveraging technology and innovation to develop more efficient and sustainable housing solutions that meet the aspirations of citizens in GCC countries.
He pointed out that the 24th meeting of the Committee of Ministers Responsible for Housing Affairs in GCC countries adopted a number of decisions and initiatives that will enhance the trajectory of joint GCC housing work and push it toward broader horizons of cooperation and integration.
In a related development, Al-Budaiwi participated in the ceremony announcing the winners of the seventh edition of the GCC Housing Award for 2026, honoring outstanding projects, private sector entities, non-profit institutions, and benefactors, as well as honoring winners from the sons and daughters of GCC countries in the third edition of the GCC Housing Hackathon.
He emphasized that these efforts, across their various pathways, confirm that the future of GCC housing is not crafted by a single entity, but is the fruit of joint work in which government policies integrate with the roles of the private sector, financial institutions, society, specialists, innovators, and youth.
He added, “Our ambition is to continue building on what has been achieved and to elevate GCC housing work to a more integrated and innovative stage, where we can better utilize our data and experiences, accelerate the exchange of successful solutions, and expand partnerships, thereby contributing to providing more diverse and sustainable housing options and enhancing the quality of life for citizens of GCC countries.” (End) K.N.A. / M.A.H.A.
