Housing ministers of Gulf countries discuss the Unified General Rules Document for Real Estate Owners
The housing ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries discussed the Unified General Rules Document for Real Estate Owners as part of the activities of the Gulf Housing Conference and the first Gulf Housing Conference hosted by the Sultanate of Oman from October 29 to 31.
Several important housing sector issues were discussed, including the memorandum from the General Secretariat for the joint Gulf housing action plan. This memorandum included significant decisions related to the housing sector, such as approval of the Sustainability Guide for GCC Homes, the Modern Building Techniques Guide, and approval of the joint Gulf housing action plan for the years 2024 to 2030. The meeting also addressed the memorandum from the General Secretariat regarding housing information rules.
Additionally, updates on the Gulf Cooperation Council Housing Award for the new session were discussed, along with conferences and specialized workshops in the field of housing that will be held in GCC countries. The meeting also witnessed discussions on the memorandum from the General Secretariat regarding the second Gulf Housing Conference scheduled to be held in 2025.
The ministers emphasized the importance of continuing to participate in regional and international activities and meetings related to the field of housing to highlight Gulf housing efforts. They also discussed activating mechanisms for exchanging experts and specialists in the field of housing among GCC countries. Furthermore, the meeting addressed the General Secretariat’s proposal to sign agreements with specialized organizations serving the housing sector.
The meeting announced the winning research and projects for the Gulf Cooperation Council Housing Award in its fifth edition for the year 2023. The project “Baiti City” presented by Omran Company in the Sultanate of Oman secured the first position and a prize of 50,000 Saudi Riyals. The project for the design of economical and sustainable housing units presented by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure in the UAE secured the second position with a prize of 30,000 Saudi Riyals. Additionally, the housing unit project in Al-Jar neighborhood in Yanbu Industrial City presented by the Royal Commission for Jubail secured the third position with a prize of 20,000 Saudi Riyals.
The October Urban Conference and the First Gulf Housing Conference kicked off their sessions the day before yesterday under the theme “Urban Economic Flexibility,” with the participation of more than 2000 experts and specialists in the housing sector and 35 universities. The aim is to review the most prominent recent and contemporary research and studies in the urban sectors, focusing on four main axes, including updates in urban planning, housing, the future of school buildings, and urban flexibility.
In a related context, Jassim Al-Budaiwi, the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, affirmed that the committee of ministers responsible for housing affairs in the GCC countries contributes significantly to enhancing cooperation, coordination, and integration in the housing sector in the GCC countries.
Al-Budaiwi explained that the agenda of the committee’s meeting addressed several important topics that strengthen joint efforts for the common Gulf housing work, expressing gratitude for the efforts exerted by the members of the committee of senior housing officials in the preparation for this meeting.
