Continuous effort pledged to achieve SDGs

Bahrain yesterday pledged continuous efforts to strengthen its legislative infrastructure to enhance effective social participation and achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This came as Member of the Representatives Council, MP Ahmed Al-Damistani took part in the Third World Parliamentary Forum on Sustainable Development Goals in Indonesia.

Speaking at the forum, Al Damistani said Bahrain through its Government Action Plan (GAP) seeks to adopt sustainable development strategies aimed at improving its institutions’ performance and ensuring their involvement in the development process. “Kingdom’s priorities include combating corruption and developing its work mechanisms, commensurate with SDGs,” he said. The forum from September 4 to 5 was held on the theme ‘Combating Inequality through Social and Financial Inclusion’.

Al-Damistani called for creating a suitable international environment to support countries’ efforts to achieve SDGs, stressing the importance of expanding the participation of all social segments in the development process. The Representatives Council’s delegation to the World Forum comprises MPs Ahmed Al-Damistani, and Ibrahim Al-Nafaie.

The first session of the forum focused on the role of infrastructure and industrial innovation in fostering equal opportunities, as well as in eliminating inequalities and creating inclusive communities. The second session discussed ways to ensure rural access to clean water supply, sanitation and hygiene, and focused on finding solutions to reach the poorest and the marginalised in improving their health, nutrition and productivity.

The forum called upon governments to renew their commitment and give more attention in delivering the SDGs timely through tangible actions and mainstreaming and localising the SDGs, based on the cultures, local languages and conditions, or uniqueness of a respective country.