Speech by the GSO President on the occasion of the celebration of the World Day for Building Safety
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you,
It is a great pleasure and honor for me to join you today in this important event, “International Building Safety Day (IBSD)”, held under the theme “Building for the Future “. This pioneering international initiative highlights one of the most vital aspects of our modern lives, enhancing building safety and protecting lives and property.
Our participation in this event stems from the commitment of the GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) to support initiatives that serve the public good, and from our deep belief in the importance of developing standards and technical specifications that ensure the quality and safety of buildings in our region.
The adoption of the Unified Gulf Building Code is a strategic step toward strengthening integration and coordination among GCC countries in the construction sector. It contributes to unifying technical specifications, improving construction quality, and ensuring the safety of buildings, while also supporting sustainability goals and creating a safe and environmentally friendly urban environment.
Building safety is not limited to precise construction specifications alone; it involves a comprehensive vision that begins with planning and design, continues through execution, and extends to maintenance and follow-up. This is what we aim to achieve through close cooperation with national standardization bodies in the member states, our regional and international partners, particularly the International Code Council (ICC), to develop Gulf standards aligned with global best practices.
This day serves as an opportunity to renew our shared commitment to building a safer and more sustainable future for generations to come, and to reaffirm the role of standardization as a strategic tool in addressing environmental, climate, and construction challenges.
In conclusion, I extend my sincere thanks to the International Code Council (ICC), all those involved in this initiative, and everyone who contributes to spread awareness and promoting a culture of safety. We look forward to continued collaboration and joint efforts to achieve the highest standards of building safety across the region and the world.
Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you. H.E. Eng. Nawaf bin Ibrahim Al-Mana,
President of the GCC Standardization Organization (GSO)
