The Executive Board of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has reviewed the second voluntary report of the Kingdom of Bahrain, submitted to it by Housing Minister, Bassim bin Yacub Al-Hamar.
The report, themed “Progress Made in Implementing the New Urban Agenda”, included a statement by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
HRH Crown Prince and Prime Minister asserted that “the Kingdom of Bahrain has been the land of glory and civilisation since ancient times. It carries an authentic legacy that we proudly inherited, and we continue to consolidate it to create the best.”
HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister stressed that Bahrainis are partners in the nation-building and development process to achieve the visions and aspirations of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and that the urban agenda is one of the pillars of the government action plan to achieve economic growth and keep pace with the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030.
HRH Crown Prince and Prime Minister pointed out that Bahrain is one of the leading countries in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and that the priorities of government work are based on investment in people through the development of education, health and housing services, among others, based on the competencies of Team Bahrain, who have successfully contributed to the implementation of major development projects that enhanced Bahrain’s position at all levels.
HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister affirmed that the challenges created by the repercussions of the novel Coronavirus pandemic have been a catalyst for Bahrain to unleash its national energies and enhance its capabilities for achievement, adding that Bahrain has strengthened development policies by continuing to implement urban plans with the UN-Habitat.
During its meeting in Nairobi, the Executive Board of the UN-Habitat pledged to provide all kinds of support to countries that have submitted their reports, including Bahrain, so as to assist them in removing obstacles and challenges facing the implementation of SDGs 2030.
The General Assembly President invited the Member States, including Bahrain, to attend a high-level meeting on the implementation of the New Urban Agenda on April 28, 2022 in New York.
The report highlighted Bahrain’s progress in achieving sustainable development goals 2030 and the urban development goals. It showed that Bahrain has made remarkable progress in implementing the New Urban Agenda (NUA) through mega development and modernisation projects in various fields.
The Kingdom was at the forefront in including the NUA in the government’s plans and programmes through a clear and integrated national vision and strategy that is based on the directives and support of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the unwavering efforts of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
The report showed the keenness of the leadership and the government, in word and deed, to achieve these goals to keep pace with the international agenda in the areas of development because of their positive impacts at the local level and on citizens in particular.
The report highlighted the main efforts of the kingdom to achieve NUA goals, including:
– Launching financial packages exceeding BD 4.5 billion (11.9 billion US dollars) to support the local economy in its various sectors, in response to the repercussions of the pandemic.
– The percentage of the population living below the international poverty line at the national urban level is zero.
– The average income of Bahraini families has increased by 47% in the period 2008-2016.
– Bahrain was ranked 42nd among 189 countries in the year 2020, in the Human Development Index, and its classification among the countries with very high human development.
– 100% coverage of water and sewage networks.
– The volume of government programmes, initiatives and investments has reached more than BD 3.3 billion (more than 8.7 billion US dollars) in the housing sector since the establishment of the Housing Ministry.
– Women account for 42.8% of the labour force in 2020.
The report also included a statement by Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al-Mutawa, the Chairman of the National Committee for Information and Population, in which he underlined the kingdom’s interest in achieving the goals of sustainable development and urban development through effective international presence and participation in the initiatives and activities of the relevant international organisations.
Source: Bahrain News Agency