His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), underlined that the ambition for the upcoming stage focuses on maximising the impact of the municipal sector and translating the outcomes of joint Gulf action into tangible practices and applications across member states.
His Excellency added that this approach will bolster the efficiency of municipal services, expand the utilisation of successful experiences and innovative solutions, and accelerate the adoption of modern technologies to achieve more sustainable, efficient, and resilient cities capable of keeping pace with future developments and needs.
His Excellency’s remarks were made during the 29th Meeting of the Committee of Their Excellencies the Ministers Responsible for Municipal Affairs in the GCC member states, held today, Thursday (10 September 2026), in the Bahraini capital, Manama.
The meeting was chaired by His Excellency Eng. Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and Chairman of the current session of the Ministerial Committee Responsible for Municipal Affairs in the GCC States, with the attendance of Their Excellencies the GCC Ministers of Municipal Affairs.
At the outset of his address, His Excellency the GCC Secretary General extended his highest expressions of thanks, appreciation, and gratitude to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of the Kingdom of Bahrain and President of the current session of the GCC Supreme Council, for the Kingdom of Bahrain's hosting of the meeting, the facilities and continuous support provided to ensure the success of the GCC's work, and the steadfast patronage accorded to joint Gulf action by His Majesty alongside Their Majesties and Highnesses the Leaders of the GCC States across all fields.
"Municipal work occupies an integral position within the development ecosystem of the GCC states, directly impacting the daily lives of citizens and residents across urban planning, the urban environment, building regulations, and the development of cities, services, and utilities. Amidst rapid urban growth and qualitative development projects across the GCC, municipal action has become an essential enabler for elevating quality of life, enhancing urban sustainability, and bolstering the capacity of cities to adapt to future changes," His Excellency explained.
In the same context, His Excellency the GCC Secretary General pointed out that the GCC member states have made significant strides in advancing joint municipal work through numerous initiatives, programmes, and guiding frameworks that facilitate knowledge sharing and the adoption of proven models.
"The launch of the GCC Urban Research Centre represents a major milestone towards harnessing scientific research, data, and specialised expertise to support urban planning and municipal decision-making across member states, establishing a unified Gulf knowledge base to advance cities and address future challenges," His Excellency underscored.
"Modern technologies are occupying an expanding role within joint municipal efforts, particularly through initiatives deploying artificial intelligence and advanced technologies in urban planning and smart, sustainable city development," he stated.
Concluding his remarks, His Excellency noted that the launch of the 7th cycle of the GCC Municipal Award (2027–2028), themed "Smart Solutions in Municipal Work", reaffirms the commitment to fostering innovation, exchanging pioneering practices, and broadening the application of modern solutions across the municipal landscape in the GCC states.
