Bahrain, UN agencies in deal to boost sustainable development

Bahrain yesterday inked a partnership with United Nations (UN) which will see 16 the UN agencies work closely with the Kingdom in various fields. 

The partnership will see UN agencies offering its expertise towards new projects for the sustainable development of Bahrain. 16 UN agencies including United Nations Children’s Fund(UNICEF), World Health Organization(WHO), International Labour Organization(ILO), United Nations Industrial Development Organization(UNIDO) Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO), and UN-Habitat - United Nations Human Settlements Programme are included in the partnership.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative to the Kingdom of Bahrain Amin El Sharkawi and representatives of 16 UN Resident and Regional Agencies signed the Strategic Partnership Framework Agreement between Bahrain and the United Nations 2018-2022.

“The signing of the SPF is a very important milestone in the partnership between Bahrain and the UN agencies,” said Dr Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Undersecretary of International Affairs Ministry of Foreign Affairs said during a press briefing yesterday. 

Explaining, Dr Shaikh Abdulla said that the deal allows Bahrain to focus on its priorities. “It allows us to make sure that all these initiatives and projects are in line with the government priority framework and the Sustainable Development Goals and the Vision 2030 of Bahrain.”

“It has been a journey, a journey of cooperation, partnership and we are grateful for all of us to reach this stage,” said United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative, Amin El Sharkawi. 

A representative from UN-Habitat told DT News that they are working with the Ministry of Housing to revise the housing policy of Bahrain and building on the successful experience of Bahrain. 

“On another front, we are also going to take Bahrainis experience to other parts of the world and facilitate the exchange of ideas regarding housing.

“We are also going to work with the Ministry of Works, Municipalities and Urban Planning on other projects,” the representative added. 

An FAO representative told that their focus will be on the marine and fisheries resources in Bahrain “which is very import for the country.” 

“We are very honoured to work with the Supreme Council for women on the Global awards for women’s empowerment,” said a UN Women representative adding: “We are discussing further potential collaborations as well.”