GCC leaders aim for smart, sustainable cities through joint municipal cooperation

GCC Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed Albudaiwi has emphasized the need for enhanced joint municipal cooperation among Gulf Cooperation Council member states to develop smarter, more sustainable cities. Speaking at the 29th meeting of the Ministerial Committee for Municipal Affairs in Manama, Bahrain, Albudaiwi highlighted the importance of converting regional decisions into practical applications to improve service efficiency.

A key development is the launch of the GCC Urban Research Center, which aims to support municipal decision-making through scientific research, specialized data, artificial intelligence, and geospatial technologies. This initiative is intended to build a regional knowledge base to address future urban challenges.

Additionally, the seventh cycle of the GCC Municipal Award for 2027–2028 has been announced under the theme ‘Smart Solutions in Municipal Work’ to encourage innovation and the exchange of leading practices across the region.