Top UN official lauds Kingdom’s SDG strides

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, met with the Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), Dr Rola Dashti, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, on the sidelines of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed his utmost appreciation for the efforts exerted by Dr Dashti, in activating the role of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).

He affirmed the keenness of the Kingdom to continue its policy of developing various means of co-operation with the United Nations with all its organs and committees, especially ESCWA, which plays a pivotal role in addressing the economic challenges facing the countries of the world, wishing her success in fulfilling her duties and responsibilities. For her part, Dr Dashti expressed her pleasure to have met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, affirming her appreciation towards the Kingdom’s relentless efforts in promoting collective action to ensure success in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs also met with the High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC), Miguel Ángel Moratinos. Shaikh Khalid commended the role of Mr Moratinos in achieving the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations’ goals and his tangible role in developing understanding between cultures and religions and to develop relations between various peoples, as well as working to confront extremism in all its forms, wishing him success.

For his part, Mr Moratinos commended the role of the Kingdom in consolidating the objectives pursued by the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations and spreading the culture of dialogue and co-operation, affirming that the Kingdom is considered a distinctive model of coexistence, openness and co-operation. The Minister of Foreign Affairs also met with the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Peter Maurer, and reviewed means to enhance co-operation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs commended the significant humanitarian role played by the ICRC and its outstanding efforts to provide assistance and alleviate the human suffering of many people living in difficult circumstances, stressing the Kingdom’s keenness to expand cooperation with the ICRC. For his part, President Maurer expressed his appreciation for the Kingdom’s willingness to work jointly and co-operatively with the International Committee of the Red Cross, which reflects its keenness to benefit all those in need.