The United Arab Emirates, represented by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and the country’s housing authorities, participated in the Fourth GCC Housing Week, hosted by Bahrain. The participation reflects the UAE’s commitment to sharing its experience in the housing sector, exchanging expertise, and strengthening cooperation among GCC countries in this field.
The UAE delegation was headed by His Excellency Eng Mohammed Al Mansoori, Undersecretary for Infrastructure and Transport Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.
The Ministry’s participation included attending the opening ceremony of the event, the 24th Meeting of Their Excellencies the Ministers Responsible for Housing Affairs in the GCC countries, and the accompanying ministerial and senior officials’ dialogue sessions. The meeting discussed a range of joint topics and initiatives, as well as ways to strengthen GCC cooperation and integration and exchange experiences and expertise in the housing sector.
During the ministerial dialogue session, titled “The Future of National Housing: Innovative Policies and Sustainable Solutions,” His Excellency Eng Mohammed Al Mansoori presented the UAE’s vision for the future of the housing sector, highlighting the role of technology, artificial intelligence, and partnerships, as well as the integration of housing, infrastructure, and energy policies in building integrated, future-ready communities.
The UAE’s participation highlighted the country’s shift from providing housing to developing integrated communities, where homes are supported by infrastructure, services, and facilities, while taking into account energy efficiency, sustainability, and the evolving needs of Emirati families.
The discussions also addressed the use of technology and artificial intelligence to assess housing applications, analyze data, accelerate transactions, and anticipate future needs. These tools support a shift from responding to housing demand as applications are received to proactively planning for future requirements. The sessions also highlighted the role of partnerships with the private sector, financial institutions, and technology providers in developing financing, construction, and operational models and adopting smart and sustainable solutions.
The Ministry also emphasized the importance of integrated planning for housing, infrastructure, energy, transportation, water, and services from the outset. This approach supports the development of communities that use resources more efficiently and are better equipped to meet families’ needs and enhance their quality of life.
The Ministry also participated in the dialogue sessions for senior housing officials, showcasing the UAE’s experience in developing innovative housing solutions and policies, and highlighting the role of partnerships and financing in strengthening the sustainability of the housing sector and improving quality of life.
The UAE secured first place in the seventh edition of the GCC Housing Award for its West Baniyas project, developed by the Abu Dhabi Housing Authority. The award recognizes the project’s distinguished practices in residential community development and its contribution to enhancing quality of life and sustainability.
The UAE was also recognized as part of the parallel honors held alongside the seventh edition of the GCC Housing Award, which celebrated philanthropists and contributors for their generous support and charitable initiatives in the housing sector. The honors went to the Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi Charity Foundation in the private institutions and nonprofit organizations category, and Khalid Al Qasim in the individual philanthropists category.