Kuwait city: The Gulf Cooperation Council's Electricity and Water Cooperation Committee convened for its 31st meeting, chaired by Kuwait's Undersecretary of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, Dr. Adel Al-Zamel. The meeting was attended by undersecretaries from the member states and representatives from the GCC Secretariat, led by Assistant Secretary-General for Economic and Development Affairs, Khaled Al-Sunaidi.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the meeting focused on reviewing the agenda items and technical recommendations. A significant decision was made to support a GCC Secretariat proposal to merge the Gulf Electricity Forum with the Gulf Water Forum, with instructions to proceed with the necessary procedures. Additionally, the committee approved the initiation of a memorandum of understanding with the International Water Management Institute, aiming for the agreement to be signed before the end of March 2026.
Key measures were adopted concerning the mandates of regulatory and advisory committees, which included continued financial and technical support for the GCC Interconnection Authority and updates to the fee and reporting mechanisms. There was an emphasis on encouraging active participation from member states in sector-related conferences and workshops. Discussions were also held on forming a joint working group to explore potential cross-border water-link projects.
The committee endorsed a new executive program in collaboration with the GCC Statistical Center, the World Bank, and the International Renewable Energy Agency to facilitate the expansion of new and renewable energy projects. The next meeting of the committee is scheduled to take place in Bahrain in 2026, with annual preparatory meetings to continue. The committee reiterated the importance of joint efforts to enhance supply security and diversify energy sources, aligning with sustainable development goals and national visions.