GSO and ISO Hold ToT Workshop on Digital Standardization
The GCC Standardization Organization (GSO), in cooperation with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), organized a Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop with the participation of specialists from GSO and representatives of the national standardization bodies of the GCC Member States. The workshop was held within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two organizations, which promotes cooperation in capacity building, knowledge transfer, expertise exchange, and the adoption of best practices in the field of standardization.
Held at the ISO Central Secretariat on Wednesday, 8 July 2026, the workshop opened with welcome remarks by Dr. Khaled Soufi, President of ISO, and Mr. Sergio Mujica, ISO Secretary-General. Both speakers emphasized the importance of institutional cooperation, capacity building, and the development of digital tools to enable standardization bodies to perform their technical and regulatory roles more efficiently.
The workshop covered several key digital transformation initiatives, including the Online Standards Development (OSD) International platform, the OSD National platform, the ISOlutions digital solutions suite, the Digital Maturity Assessment System (DMAS), and XML-based publishing. Participants also exchanged views on how these digital tools can support national standardization bodies and enhance their efficiency in an increasingly digital environment.
The workshop forms part of GSO’s strategic initiative on Smart Standards Development, included within the Organization’s 2026–2030 Strategic Plan. It also represents a practical step toward strengthening cooperation between GSO and ISO, supporting GSO’s efforts to enable Member States to benefit from modern digital solutions, develop national competencies, and enhance knowledge exchange with leading international standardization organizations.
In the same context, the Smart Standards Development Working Group, comprising representatives of the GCC Member States, held its meeting at ISO headquarters on Thursday, 9 July 2026, to discuss future steps based on the workshop outcomes and recommendations.
GSO affirmed that initiatives of this nature support the digital transformation of the Gulf standardization system and contribute to enhancing the capabilities of specialists from GSO and its Member States through participation in high-quality international programs. These efforts ultimately contribute to advancing technical work, improving service efficiency, and strengthening alignment with international best practices in standardization.
