Speech by GSO President on the Occasion of World Standards Day 2025
The GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) joins the international standardization community, including national, regional, international bodies and organizations, in celebrating the 55th World Standards Day (WSD), observed annually on 14 October. This date marks the anniversary of the founding of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) on 14 October 1947, and has been officially celebrated since 1970.
On this day, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) celebrate the contributions of thousands of experts worldwide who dedicate their efforts and expertise to developing international standards that impact human life in various fields.
This year’s celebration focuses on Sustainable Development Goal 17: “Partnerships for the Goals,” emphasizing the importance of international cooperation and integration among all stakeholders to achieve sustainable development.
On this occasion, I am pleased to extend my heartfelt congratulations and sincere best wishes to the national standardization bodies in the member states, relevant regional and international organizations, and all professionals working in the field of standardization, in recognition and appreciation of their significant contributions to supporting sustainable development and enhancing quality of life.
Since its establishment in 2004, GSO has adopted a strategic approach based on building effective and sustainable partnerships with relevant stakeholders at both the Gulf and international levels, believing that true success can only be achieved through cooperation and integration.
A close partnership with the national standardization bodies (NSBs) of the member states constitutes one of the main pillars of GSO’s work. GSO is responsible for harmonizing various standardization activities and monitoring their implementation and compliance in coordination with national bodies, thereby contributing to the development of intra-regional trade, the protection of consumers and the environment, and the strengthening of the Gulf economy.
GSO has also worked to strengthen its relations with international and regional organizations through cooperation and partnership agreements with a number of prominent bodies, including ISO, IEC, ITU, CODEX, CEN-CENELEC, ICC, and many others. These partnerships have enabled GSO to exchange experiences, coordinate technical positions, actively participate in the development of international standards, and enhance the presence of the GCC member states on the global standardization map.
GSO attaches great importance to the development of Gulf standards and technical regulations across various sectors through general and sub-technical committees comprising representatives from national standardization bodies, alongside relevant stakeholders from government, private, and academic institutions, thereby reinforcing the principles of participation and integration.
Standards and technical regulations also play a vital role in capacity building and knowledge sharing by establishing structured training frameworks for technical professionals and fostering a collaborative environment for exchanging expertise in diverse fields such as energy, environment, and modern technologies. These efforts contribute to enhanced performance efficiency and the development of sustainable solutions.
In conclusion, GSO reaffirms its firm commitment to continuing to build and strengthen effective partnerships, in the belief that standardization is a collective endeavor achievable only through cooperation and integration among national, regional, and international entities — in pursuit of a better and more sustainable future.
On this occasion, I would like to express my deep appreciation and gratitude to all international, regional, and national organizations for their remarkable efforts in advancing standardization. I also extend my sincere thanks to the GSO team and to the national standardization bodies of the member states, as well as to everyone who supports the progress of Gulf and global standardization.
