MANAMA: With one third of the population is young, the Kingdom of Bahrain has linked the youth empowerment to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) 2030.
The Kingdom has worked in close cooperation with the UNDP office in Manama on the preparation of the Country Programme Document (CPD) 2017–2020 which will be later aligned with the outcomes of the SGDs goals, it was revealed on Monday.
Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa Undersecretary of International Affairs Kingdom of Bahrain while addressing a Press conference marking the United Nations Day celebrations in Bahrain said that the Kingdom has emphasized in particular the importance of aligning the CPD outcomes with the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change negotiated at COP 21.
The Press conference was part of the UN Country Team (UNCT) in Bahrain’s celebrations of the United Nations Day commemorating the 71st anniversary of the United Nations.
Shaikh Abdulla said that the Ministry of Youth Affairs is organising a global conference in Bahrain early next year with focus on the youth development.
The highlight of the UN Day Commemoration was the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the steps being taken at the national level to ensure their implementation.
At the same time, the Undersecretary said, the CPD was prepared to reflect the domestic needs of Bahrain, which has acquired high-income status and an improved standard of living for citizens. “This is reflected in the country’s Human Development Index ranking in the category of very high human development countries, placed 45th globally in the UNDP Human Development report 2015. As a result, this CPD has required a different approach from our UNDP partners, by supporting the achievement of Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030, the Government Action Plan 2015 –2018, and the Government Priority Framework.
“Thus the two pillars chosen for the CPD are ensuring economic diversification and efficient social services which are sustainable and leave no one behind; and promoting Bahraini institutions and programs which are effective, responsive and accountable in line with international standards and practices.”
Amin El Sharkawi, UN Resident Coordinator & UNDP Resident Representative also made a statement and highlighted the importance of the SGDs. He applauded the role of the Kingdom of Bahrain in embracing the UN’s all major initiatives and emerged as a role model in the region.
