emirates7 - The Regional Workshop on Components of the GCC Environmental Performance Index, organised by the GCC Statistical Centre, brought together experts and specialists from across the Gulf to advance regional cooperation in environmental statistics.
The discussions centred on sharing best practices and building national capacities for monitoring and assessing environmental indicators.
Dr. Abdullah bin Ali Al Amri, President of the Environment Authority, described the workshop as a key step in strengthening environmental collaboration within the GCC. He noted that the initiative reflects the region’s determination to keep pace with international environmental trends and to establish a unified tool for measuring environmental policies and practices. Such a tool, he explained, would provide decision-makers with reliable indicators that align with both national and regional priorities as well as global obligations.
Dr. Al Amri stressed that the workshop provides a valuable platform for exchanging expertise and enhancing collective efforts to develop the GCC Environmental Performance Index. This index will serve as a benchmarking instrument for monitoring progress on environmental issues and aligning with sustainability strategies in the Gulf. He reaffirmed Oman’s commitment, through its Environment Authority, to working with GCC states to promote regional environmental integration in line with Oman Vision 2040 and the country’s international climate and environmental pledges.
Intisar bint Abdullah Al Wahaibi, Director-General of the GCC Statistical Centre, highlighted that the workshop is focused on establishing a framework for preparing the GCC Environmental Performance Index. She described the index as a strategic tool that enables measurement and analysis of environmental performance across the Gulf, with the added benefit of facilitating comparisons at both regional and global levels. This, she said, will help shape stronger, data-driven environmental policies.
Al Wahaibi pointed out that sustainability and resource protection have become pressing imperatives in light of the region’s challenges, including water scarcity, climate change, and air pollution. By implementing the GCC Environmental Performance Index, countries will be able to track their progress, set priorities, and strengthen joint regional action on shared environmental concerns.
She added that the index also provides an opportunity to benchmark GCC performance against international standards, highlighting achievements while identifying areas that require greater effort. This, in turn, lays the groundwork for sustainable long-term planning.
According to Al Wahaibi, the Gulf states’ achievements demonstrate the impact of sustained efforts. Oman, for example, made remarkable progress in the Global Environmental Performance Index, jumping more than 100 places over two years to become the second-highest ranked country in the Middle East. The UAE led the region, largely due to its initiatives in air quality management and urban greening. Qatar distinguished itself with policies on water conservation and resource management, while Kuwait advanced its air quality and emissions reduction measures. Saudi Arabia contributed through marine protection initiatives, and Bahrain made strides in waste management and green space expansion. Together, these achievements underscore the collective determination of GCC countries to improve sustainability and deliver measurable environmental results.
Al Wahaibi concluded by emphasising that the GCC Environmental Performance Index is not an end in itself, but a means of reinforcing national and regional environmental policies, integrating sustainability into economic and social development, and boosting the global competitiveness of GCC states by showcasing their commitment to environmental protection.
The discussions centred on sharing best practices and building national capacities for monitoring and assessing environmental indicators.
Dr. Abdullah bin Ali Al Amri, President of the Environment Authority, described the workshop as a key step in strengthening environmental collaboration within the GCC. He noted that the initiative reflects the region’s determination to keep pace with international environmental trends and to establish a unified tool for measuring environmental policies and practices. Such a tool, he explained, would provide decision-makers with reliable indicators that align with both national and regional priorities as well as global obligations.
Dr. Al Amri stressed that the workshop provides a valuable platform for exchanging expertise and enhancing collective efforts to develop the GCC Environmental Performance Index. This index will serve as a benchmarking instrument for monitoring progress on environmental issues and aligning with sustainability strategies in the Gulf. He reaffirmed Oman’s commitment, through its Environment Authority, to working with GCC states to promote regional environmental integration in line with Oman Vision 2040 and the country’s international climate and environmental pledges.
Intisar bint Abdullah Al Wahaibi, Director-General of the GCC Statistical Centre, highlighted that the workshop is focused on establishing a framework for preparing the GCC Environmental Performance Index. She described the index as a strategic tool that enables measurement and analysis of environmental performance across the Gulf, with the added benefit of facilitating comparisons at both regional and global levels. This, she said, will help shape stronger, data-driven environmental policies.
Al Wahaibi pointed out that sustainability and resource protection have become pressing imperatives in light of the region’s challenges, including water scarcity, climate change, and air pollution. By implementing the GCC Environmental Performance Index, countries will be able to track their progress, set priorities, and strengthen joint regional action on shared environmental concerns.
She added that the index also provides an opportunity to benchmark GCC performance against international standards, highlighting achievements while identifying areas that require greater effort. This, in turn, lays the groundwork for sustainable long-term planning.
According to Al Wahaibi, the Gulf states’ achievements demonstrate the impact of sustained efforts. Oman, for example, made remarkable progress in the Global Environmental Performance Index, jumping more than 100 places over two years to become the second-highest ranked country in the Middle East. The UAE led the region, largely due to its initiatives in air quality management and urban greening. Qatar distinguished itself with policies on water conservation and resource management, while Kuwait advanced its air quality and emissions reduction measures. Saudi Arabia contributed through marine protection initiatives, and Bahrain made strides in waste management and green space expansion. Together, these achievements underscore the collective determination of GCC countries to improve sustainability and deliver measurable environmental results.
Al Wahaibi concluded by emphasising that the GCC Environmental Performance Index is not an end in itself, but a means of reinforcing national and regional environmental policies, integrating sustainability into economic and social development, and boosting the global competitiveness of GCC states by showcasing their commitment to environmental protection.