Manama:Amna bint Ahmed Al Rumaihi, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, attended an event honoring the winners of the seventh GCC Housing Award. The ceremony also recognized supporters and contributors to housing development in GCC countries and students who excelled in the third GCC Housing Hackathon, part of Gulf Housing Week.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), was present at the event. The Minister emphasized the progress of joint Gulf housing initiatives, highlighting Gulf Housing Week as an essential platform for officials, experts, and youth from GCC countries to exchange successful experiences and innovative solutions, thereby enhancing cooperation across government, private, academic, and community sectors.
Bahrain's hosting of the fourth Gulf Housing Week underscores the GCC's commitment to strengthening joint housing cooperation, sharing expertise, and fostering innovation to improve housing services for citizens. The GCC Housing Award plays a vital role in promoting excellence by showcasing leading projects and sustainable solutions, with the diversity of winning projects reflecting advanced experiences across the region.
At the ceremony, the winning projects were announced under the theme Integrated Services Housing Project Enhancing Quality of Life. The Abu Dhabi Housing Authority's West Baniyas Housing Project won first place and SAR 200,000, followed by Oman's Sultan Haitham City and Saudi Arabia's Khayala Residential Destination, winning second and third places with SAR 100,000 and SAR 75,000, respectively.
Supporters and contributors to housing development, including the Royal Humanitarian Foundation (RHF) of Bahrain, were honored for their significant contributions. The RHF was recognized for contributing over BD 1 million. Minister Al Rumaihi expressed pride in this recognition, which reflects Bahrain's commitment to humanitarian work and supporting family stability through suitable housing.
The event also acknowledged GCC students participating in the third GCC Housing Hackathon, themed Innovative Housing Solutions Lab: A Youth Vision for Future Housing, with over 35 students from GCC countries taking part. Minister Al Rumaihi stressed the importance of involving youth in developing housing solutions, utilizing modern technologies, and advancing sustainability and quality of life in the region.