Al-Hogail Heads Saudi Arabia’s Delegation at 22nd Meeting of GCC Housing Ministers' Committee in Qatar

Minister of Municipal Rural Affairs and Housing Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, today in Doha, headed the delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the 22nd meeting of the committee of ministers in charge of housing affairs in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The meeting discussed several joint issues in the housing sector.

During the meeting, the ministers discussed the joint housing action plan for 2024, which included several decisions, guidelines, and frameworks related to housing, including the approval of the real estate incentive guide, which connects landowners with developers and financial entities. Attendees also approved the urban resilience assessment guide for the housing sector in the GCC countries. It also approved the economic framework for partnership with private institutions to stimulate investment in the real estate sector.

The meeting announced the launch of the sixth GCC Housing Award, titled "Smart digital applications and technologies in housing projects and programs," and increased its financial value to SAR375,000 from SAR100,000. The meeting stressed the importance of promoting the new edition of the award to expand participation among the ministries and institutions concerned with housing affairs in the GCC countries.

The Ministers emphasized the importance of continuing to participate in regional and international activities and meetings related to the housing industry in order to highlight GCC housing efforts. They also confirmed the nomination of the United Arab Emirates for membership in the Executive Office of the Asia-Pacific Community and the upcoming presidency of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).

The meeting also highlighted the need to continue activating the mechanism of exchanging experts and specialists in the field of housing among the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. The Secretary-General's proposal regarding the signing of agreements with a number of specialized organizations serving the housing sector was discussed, including the International Federation for Housing and Planning (IFHP), the International Housing Association (IHA), and the International Union for Housing Finance (IUHF).

Afterwards, the ministers toured the accompanying exhibition of the 22nd meeting. The exhibition showcased the housing efforts and projects of the Gulf housing ministries through their participating booths.

At the end of the tour, the Minister of Social Development and Family of Qatar, Mrs. Maryam bint Ali Al-Misnad, honored the Ministers responsible for housing affairs in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

It is worth mentioning that the 21st meeting of the Ministers responsible for housing affairs in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries was held in the Omani capital, Muscat, as part of the activities of the October Urban Conference and the First GCC Housing Conference hosted by the Sultanate of Oman from October 29th to 31st of last year.