Manama:Amna bint Ahmed Al Rumaihi, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, chaired the 24th meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministers of Housing Affairs. The meeting was hosted by Bahrain and attended by Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi, Secretary General of the GCC.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Minister Al Rumaihi highlighted Bahrain's commitment to the comprehensive development process under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and directives from His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The focus remains on prioritizing housing and urban planning to support social stability, enhance quality of life, and develop sustainable residential communities.
The minister emphasized the rapid advancements in the housing sector, including modern technologies, innovative financing solutions, and digital transformations. These developments offer GCC countries opportunities to improve housing services, increase efficiency, and provide citizens with more flexible options.
Bahrain has prepared a guide on digital housing finance platforms for GCC countries, which has been approved by member states. This initiative underscores a shared commitment to leveraging digital solutions for developing housing finance systems across the GCC.
The meeting's agenda addressed key issues to advance joint housing efforts, such as developing housing policies, sustainable urban planning, legislation, partnerships with the private sector, modern technologies, and the exchange of expertise among GCC countries. Minister Al Rumaihi stressed the importance of holding the meeting alongside the Innovation Summit in the Social Housing Sector 2026 to further GCC cooperation and integration.