Al-Badawi: Gulf States' Housing and Development Initiatives Reflect Commitment to Enhancing Quality of Life

The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States, Jassem Al-Bedaiwi, said on Wednesday that the distinctive initiatives and programs undertaken by GCC countries in the housing and urban development sector embody their firm commitment to providing a dignified standard of living for their citizens and building sustainable Gulf residential communities.

This statement came during a speech delivered by Al-Bedaiwi at the 24th meeting of the Ministers Committee for Housing Affairs in GCC States, held in Manama 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 ministers responsible for housing affairs in the other GCC member states.

Al-Bedaiwi added that the housing sector constitutes a fundamental pillar in the journey of joint Gulf cooperation and enjoys 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 continued 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 focus 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 GCC at its 46th session of the Unified Rules for Owners of Joint Real Estate Properties in GCC States.

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 that align with 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 the Kingdom of Bahrain continues to expand partnerships with real estate developers and deliver housing services through electronic platforms.

Furthermore, he noted the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s work to enable families to access their first home and activate the real estate balance pathway to increase supply, while the Sultanate of Oman continues to accelerate the development of smart cities, led by Sultan Haitham City.

He pointed out that the State of Qatar is moving forward with improving land utilization efficiency, simplifying regulations, and securing infrastructure, while the State of Kuwait is engaging real estate developers, developing infrastructure for new cities, and consolidating sustainability standards.

He stated that these efforts constitute a vital contribution to achieving the shared objectives of Gulf urban development and enhancing the capacity of the GCC states to build a more integrated, resilient, and sustainable housing system.