Summary of the 28th Meeting of GCC Ministers of Municipal Affairs
Recently, His Excellency Minister of Municipalities and Housing, Mr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Huqail, led the Saudi delegation at the 28th meeting of the Ministers of Municipal Affairs from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. This significant gathering took place in Kuwait, under the leadership of Kuwait’s State Minister for Municipal Affairs and Housing, Eng. Abdulatif Hamad Al-Meshari. The meeting also saw the participation of Khalid bin Ali Al-Sanidi, the Assistant Secretary-General for Economic and Development Affairs at the GCC General Secretariat, along with officials and ministers from member states.
During this meeting, several crucial topics concerning municipal affairs were discussed. A primary focus was on the follow-up of previous ministerial council decisions, which addressed vital issues such as urban environment development, updates to the Gulf Building Code, and the enhancement of municipal regulations and oversight mechanisms.
One of the highlights of the agenda was the presentation of the Joint Municipal Work Plan for the years 2024 to 2030, designed to promote sustainable urban development across the GCC countries. Participants adopted a report on "Sustainable Mobility Options in the GCC States" and agreed on Saudi Arabia’s proposal to host the Gulf Urban Research Center. This initiative exemplifies the Kingdom’s leadership in urban planning and sustainable city management.
Furthermore, the delegates approved the second version of guides focusing on essential areas such as contractor classification within the construction sector, integrated waste management toward a circular economy, urban greening, and urban design. These guidelines aim to enhance environmental sustainability and improve the quality of life in the Gulf cities.
In a notable achievement, Saudi Arabia secured the top three positions in the fifth cycle of the GCC Municipal Work Award, which revolved around "Community Partnership in the Municipal Work Ecosystem." This success highlights the nation’s ongoing efforts to elevate municipal projects and strengthen community involvement based on international best practices.
Minister Al-Huqail emphasized that the meeting represented a significant step towards enhancing municipal integration among Gulf nations. By adopting strategic initiatives aimed at improving quality of life, the conference aligns with the aspirations for sustainable urban growth in the region. He expressed pride in Saudi Arabia’s accolades and its innovative initiatives presented during the meeting, further underscoring the Kingdom’s commitment to leading municipal transformation across the region.
Concluding his remarks, Al-Huqail extended his heartfelt gratitude to Kuwait for its exceptional hospitality and organization of the event. He also appreciated the active participation of all delegations, recognizing their sincere desire to advance the collective efforts in municipal collaboration within the GCC community.
This meeting not only reinforced the cooperative spirit among member states but also highlighted the shared commitment to addressing the challenges of urbanization while promoting sustainable development practices. The discussions and decisions taken during this assembly are expected to pave the way for more integrated and effective municipal initiatives in the years to come, reflecting the dynamic and evolving landscape of urban governance in the Gulf.
