Baku: Amna bint Ahmed Al Rumaihi, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, participated in the official opening of the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), held in Azerbaijan. The event was inaugurated in the presence of His Excellency Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and drew over 28,000 participants from 172 countries, alongside representatives from numerous international and local organizations.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Minister Al Rumaihi emphasized that Bahrain's participation in the global forum represents a significant opportunity to showcase the achievements realized under the comprehensive development process led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. She highlighted that the forum serves as a strategic platform for exchanging expertise and formulating innovative solutions to global housing challenges, in line with Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 and the Government Programme.
The minister further noted that the current edition of the forum holds exceptional importance as it acts as the leading international platform for shaping the future of cities by aligning housing policies with the objectives of the New Urban Agenda. She pointed out that the forum's theme directly aligns with Bahrain's priorities in building sustainable urban communities capable of responding to global changes.
As part of the forum activities, the Kingdom of Bahrain pavilion was inaugurated and attracted significant attention from international delegations. The pavilion featured the Muharraq City Development Project as a model that combines modern urban development with the preservation of cultural identity and heritage. Minister Al Rumaihi stated that the pavilion also highlights the digitalization of services through the "Baity" real estate platform, as well as showcasing the expansion of the Government Land Development Rights Programme, which has become a key pillar in providing social housing in partnership with real estate developers.
She added that the gathering, which brings together leading thinkers and decision-makers, provides an ideal environment for exchanging innovative practices. Abdullah Taleb, General Manager of Eskan Bank, remarked that the forum and its accompanying events offer valuable opportunities to review the latest financing solutions aimed at providing suitable housing for citizens in the Kingdom. He noted that Eskan Bank continues to develop innovative financing initiatives and solutions that support Bahrain's housing sector, focusing on enhancing digital services and developing accessible financing options that meet citizens' aspirations and ensure the sustainability of housing projects in partnership with the private sector.
The pavilion also showcases the efforts of the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture in developing green cities in cooperation with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).