GSO Celebrates World Standards Day 2026
The GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) joins standardization bodies and organizations around the world in celebrating the 56th World Standards Day, observed annually on 14 October, in recognition of the efforts of experts and specialists in developing standards and highlighting their vital role in improving quality of life, enhancing the safety of products and services, and supporting sustainable development. This year’s celebration focuses on Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7): Affordable and Clean Energy, under the theme “Our Shared Vision for a Better World.”
In his speech on this occasion, H.E. Eng. Jabor Mohamed Al-Naimi, President of GSO, emphasized that standards are no longer merely technical requirements governing products and services, but have become a fundamental pillar for strengthening market confidence, protecting consumers, improving production efficiency, enhancing business competitiveness, and facilitating trade.
He added that standards also serve as an effective tool for addressing economic, environmental, and technological challenges by providing common technical references that support innovation, promote the efficient use of resources, and improve the quality of products and services.
H.E. highlighted the particular importance of standards in GSO member states, where they play a key role in advancing GCC economic integration, strengthening the competitiveness of national industries, facilitating the movement of goods among member states, and improving access to global markets.
He further emphasized that GSO, in cooperation with national standardization bodies in member states and its partners, continues its efforts to develop the GCC standardization system, harmonize standards and technical regulations, and strengthen conformity assessment activities. These efforts contribute to consumer protection, higher levels of quality and safety, and the achievement of development priorities across GCC countries.
The GSO President explained that the Organization, in collaboration with national standardization bodies in member states, works to develop and issue unified Gulf standards and technical regulations aligned with international practices. These efforts aim to support member states in developing their industrial and service sectors, facilitating trade among themselves and with international trading partners, protecting consumers, the environment, and public health, and promoting national industries and products to strengthen the GCC economy.
H.E. revealed that GSO has issued more than 29,000 Gulf standards and technical regulations to date, reflecting its continued efforts to advance standardization across the region.
In concluding his speech, the GSO President extended his congratulations to national standardization bodies in member states, as well as to all professionals, experts, specialists, and partners working in the field of standardization, on the occasion of World Standards Day. He expressed his appreciation for their efforts and contributions to developing the standardization system at the GCC, regional, and international levels.
He emphasized that building a more sustainable and prosperous future requires collective efforts and close cooperation among standardization bodies, government entities, the private sector, scientific institutions, experts, and specialists. He noted that standards are the result of joint cooperation and serve as an essential tool for unifying efforts and transforming challenges into tangible economic and development opportunities.
He also reaffirmed GSO’s commitment to continuing its collaboration with partners to strengthen the role of standards in promoting quality, safety, and sustainability, contributing to a more competitive GCC economy and building a better and more prosperous future for future generations.
It is worth noting that 14 October marks the anniversary of the first international meeting held to establish a global organization dedicated to standardization, which led to the official establishment of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) one year later.
World Standards Day is celebrated annually by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Each year, these three organizations issue a joint message highlighting a key issue related to standardization, with national standardization bodies worldwide joining in the celebration.
