GCC Secretary-General: Gulf housing and development initiatives reflect commitment to enhancing quality of life
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jassem Al-Bedaiwi said in Manama on Wednesday that the distinctive initiatives and programs undertaken by GCC member states in the housing and urban development sectors embody their firm commitment to providing a dignified standard of living for their citizens and building sustainable Gulf residential communities.
This was stated in a speech delivered by Al-Bedaiwi during the 24th meeting of the Ministers Committee for Housing Affairs in GCC countries, held under the chairmanship of Bahrain’s Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, Amina Al-Rumaihi, and attended by Kuwait’s Minister of State for Municipal Affairs and Minister of State for Housing Affairs, Engineer Abdul Latif Al-Mutairi, along with the housing ministers of the other GCC member states.
Al-Bedaiwi added that the housing sector constitutes a fundamental pillar in the trajectory of joint Gulf cooperation and receives continuous attention and support from the leaders of the GCC states. He expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, for hosting the meeting in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and for the facilitations and support provided and offered by the Kingdom to ensure the success of the Council’s work, as well as for the ongoing support and attention shown by His Majesty and the leaders of the GCC states to joint Gulf efforts across all fields.
He noted that the emphasis on housing is reflected in numerous decisions and initiatives, whether those adopted nationally by the GCC states or those related to joint Gulf cooperation, which have contributed to advancing the trajectory of joint Gulf housing efforts and strengthening cooperation and coordination frameworks among the member states. The latest such initiative was the approval by the Supreme Council of the Unified Rules for Joint Real Estate Ownership in GCC countries during its 46th session.
He pointed out that this represents an important step in developing relevant regulatory frameworks for the housing sector, enhancing convergence among the GCC states, and propelling joint Gulf housing efforts toward greater integration and effectiveness. He emphasized the importance of accelerating cooperation and integration among the member states and developing housing policies and programs to meet the needs and aspirations of Gulf citizens, while leveraging modern technologies and innovative solutions to provide more efficient and sustainable housing options.
He also highlighted the United Arab Emirates’ efforts to accelerate housing support and develop integrated residential complexes in partnership with national banks, while Bahrain continues to expand partnerships with real estate developers and deliver housing services through electronic platforms.
He noted Saudi Arabia’s work to enable families to access their first home and activate the real estate balance pathway to increase supply, while Oman continues to accelerate the development of smart cities, foremost among them Sultan Haitham City.
He pointed out that Qatar is moving forward with improving land utilization efficiency, facilitating regulations, and securing infrastructure, while Kuwait is working to involve real estate developers, develop infrastructure for new cities, and consolidate sustainability standards.
He stated that these efforts constitute a vital contribution to achieving the objectives of joint Gulf urban development and enhancing the GCC states’ capacity to build a more integrated, resilient, and sustainable housing system.
