MANAMA: The Israeli occupation and use of excessive force by Zionist regime and killing of innocent civilians, inter and intra-state conflicts have been hampering the sustainable development of the Arab region over the decades.
The keynote speaker during the opening ceremony of the three-day Arab Forum on Sustainable Development which is being held in Manama said the peace and security would remain a key to achieve and sustain the development patterns.
Dr. Sima Bahous, United Nations Assistant Secretary General and UNDP Assistant Administrator and Regional Director extended her thanks to the Government of Bahrain for hosting the Forum and praised the outstanding development in the areas of human development including the Millennium Development Goals over the past years.
She said Bahrain is taking an approach that reflects keen interest in the well-being of its people and is based on the deep vision of a mindful and rational leadership.
She noted that the Forum represents a very important opportunity to identify the progress made in achieving the MDGs in the past five years and discussing sustainable development status in general in the Arab region.
She noted that the Forum takes place at a difficult stage experienced by the Arab region, and must rapidly make a review of the challenges facing the international community at the regional and international levels.
A short video was displayed at the beginning of the event on the implemented Millennium Development Goals in the Kingdom of Bahrain and regional and international awards obtained by Bahrain in the field of human and sustainable development.
Dr. Rima Khalaf, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) extended her deep thanks to Bahrain’s King and government for hosting this Forum, and to His Royal Highness the Prime Minister for his patronage.
“We meet today asking a difficult long-term request, as we ask and urge for sustainability of development, so as to get rid of bottlenecks of the present and restore hope in the future,” she said.
She went on to stress that sustainable development is the foundation of the strong economies that include everyone and eliminate poverty -and – unemployment.
“It is the basis on which stable and safe communities are free from fear and marginalization could depend. It is rather a way to protect our natural resources and our environment for the benefit of our children and grandchildren, she added.
“Sustainable Development is a legitimate right for all people and cannot be achieved unless financial –and- human resources as well as strong -and – effective institutions are accessible. It is a right that wouldn’t be met unless communal security based on equal citizenship under good governance, where definite respect for human rights for all is observed.”