New York, Housing Minister, Bassim bin Yacoub Al-Hamar, has affirmed that the sustainable development goals (SDGs) enjoy the great support of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, noting that SDGs top the priorities of the government’s work.
He highlighted the government’s keenness on its strategic partnership with the UN to implement the New Urban Agenda (NUA) and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
He affirmed the kingdom’s leadership’s prompt response to meet the requirements of SDGs, through launching quality projects for the citizens, noting that Bahrain has invested BD3.3 billion to finance social housing projects since the establishment of the Ministry of Housing.
He also pointed to the Kingdom’s interest in implementing climate change initiatives, noting that the keynote speech delivered by HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister at the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (COP26) represents a roadmap for the government’s work methodology and relevant authorities to reduce the challenges of climate change.
The minister was speaking while meeting UN General Assembly (UNGA) President, Abdulla Shahid, at the UN headquarters in New York, where Al-Hamar is leading the kingdom’s delegation to the High-Level Meeting on the Implementation of the New Urban Agenda and SDGs 2030.
The UNGA President recalled his visit to the kingdom earlier this year, where he was warmly welcomed by HM the King and HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, adding that he reviewed Bahraini-UN cooperation during his meetings with the kingdom’s officials.
He congratulated Bahrain on submitting its second Voluntary National Review Report on the SDGs, and its report on human rights, noting that the kingdom has made major strides in deepening the concepts of human rights and applying them effectively.
The UNGA President indicated that there is a great interest in small island states, as reflected in the relevant committee’s focus on addressing global warming and the effects of wars, including rising sea levels.
He also commended the tangible efforts exerted by Bahrain’s Permanent Representative to UN in New York, Ambassador Jamal Faris Al-Ruwaie.
Source: Bahrain News Agency