The GCC Accreditation Center (GAC) is proud to announce that its representative has been elected Chair of the Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated, the organization formed through the merger of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC).

This remarkable achievement marks a historic first for the Gulf and the Arab world, as a GAC representative becomes the first from the region to assume the Chair of this international organization.

The election took place during the 2nd General Assembly of the Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated, held in Bangkok, Thailand, from 15 to 24 October. where the GAC representative Brahim Houla received 70 votes against 50 for the competing candidate, out of 127 total votes

This success represents a source of pride for the entire Arab region, showcasing the growing influence and leadership of the GCC on the global quality and accreditation landscape. It will further advance the development of accreditation activities throughout the GCC, strengthening the competence and competitiveness of conformity assessment bodies operating in the region.

Moreover, this milestone reinforces the GCC common market, facilitates intra-regional trade, and promotes deeper economic integration. It also accelerates the growth of Gulf technical expertise and capabilities by fostering collaboration with leading global specialists and expanding knowledge exchange across accreditation disciplines.

Ultimately, this achievement underscores the power of the GCC and the wider Arab region in shaping the future of international quality infrastructure and demonstrates their commitment to excellence, innovation, and global best practices.