Let Vision 2030 guide your Resolutions 2020

There is always a sense of promise and hope when one approaches the New Year – we leave behind the disappointments of the year past and the slate is psychologically clean for fresh beginnings. In the case of 2020, this is even more so because it signals the end of the second decade of the 21st century and sights are already set on 2030 and goals to be met if we are to continue the upward trajectory of our lives.

The Kingdom of Bahrain is already in the midst of the mental mindset to prepare for the lofty goals for 2030. But this is not yesterday’s project. Indeed, preparation and thought for Vision 2030 began in 2008 under the directives of His Majesty King Hamad and since the gathering of opinions, suggestions and thoughts from experts, the Kingdom has been working to align ministries and the public and private sector with the goals drawn up for Vision 2030. So we are literally entering the last decade of an effort that began a dozen years ago.

2019 has seen many improvements in how we work towards our aspirations. There is a keener consciousness about our responsibility towards our Kingdom and our planet. Bahrain, of course, has always taken on more than its share of responsibility happily when it comes to promoting harmony and world peace and in environmental awareness too, this is no different. We are looking at the phasing out of single-use plastics and our younger generation of leaders are pushing the envelope on physical fitness for all by patronising triathlons, extending support for a structured training programme for team sports and exciting contact sports such as the BRAVE events. All this augurs well for Bahrain.

I would not hesitate to say that we are entering 2020 on a high and victorious note. However, the moment to rejoice is still far off because we have not breasted the tape when it comes to showing results. A lot of hard work lies ahead if we are to fulfil our dreams and we owe it to ourselves and to our beloved Kingdom to reach for the moon. New Year Resolution? Put your Kingdom first and let the power of Vision 2030 set your achievement goals for 2020.

 Happy New Year Dear Readers!

(Captain Mahmood Al Mahmood is the Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Tribune and the President of the Arab-African Unity Organisation for Relief, Human Rights and Counterterrorism)