Derasat, UN-Habitat and UNDP launch the State of the Arab Cities Report in Bahrain
Manama, Feb. 22 (BNA): The Bahrain Center for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat) will organize a launch ceremony for the 2022 State of Arab Cities Report, titled ‘Sustainable Funding for the Urban Infrastructure’.
The event honors a multi-year continuous cooperation between Derasat Center, Arab Countries Regional Office of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bahrain.
"A trusted reference for all urban planners interested in Arab affairs, with qualitative proposals to support the decision-making process in countries of the region; utilizing urban planning based on global best practices for Arab cities that underwent massive expansions with large social transformations which affected the region," Derasat’s Chairman of the Board of Trustees Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa said.
Shaikh Abdullah stressed the significance of this report, as a regional first to be published in Bahrain specifically for urban planners, and those interested in various aspects of development in general. Huge efforts went into research and field work based in knowledge and methodological frameworks, which reflect the reputed parties that cooperated to accomplish the report, making it a guide to the challenges facing Arab cities and their various circumstances.
He pointed out that this cooperation reflected the trust invested by international organizations in Derasat Center and its accumulative achievements in recent years, which made it an experienced and trusted partner through its expertise and capabilities, which helped the Center complete a comprehensive study on Arab cities and their impediments, with a particular focus on sustainable funding for urban infrastructure; a major concern among overlapping priorities facing those who oversee the development process in the Arab region.
Dr. Shaikh Abdullah praised Bahrain’s successful strides in urban development and infrastructure to improve the quality of life for its population and enhance their ability to participate and demonstrate productivity, thus paving the way for an ambitious vision to all. Bahrain’s achievements were realized through a wise vision that led to an exceptional and unique state of responsible and sustainable urban planning, hence reflecting its proactive foresight under various challenges and opportunities.
The report includes the latest urban statistics and data analyses for Arab cities, aiming to deduce conclusions and recommendations for their urban planning and increasing the understanding towards the challenges they face, in turn enhancing the role of urbanization in pushing ahead sustainable development in the Arab region.
The 2022 Status of the Arab Cities Report aims to assess the economic and financial frameworks of Arab countries at the regional and local levels related to financing infrastructure in urban areas, and prospects for unlocking their growth potential and stimulating their prosperity. The report will contribute to the implementation of the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Plan and the New Urban Agenda in the Arab region, by promoting evidence-based urban policies and improving the living conditions for urban dwellers in Arab countries.
Preparation of this report was inspired by the new urban plan that was approved in Ecuador in 2016, where several fundamental principles were agreed on urban planning in the era of sustainable development goals. After the success of the first version of the State of Arab Cities Report issued in Kuwait in 2012, Derasat Center was keen to contribute to preparing a new qualitative report that reflects the latest developments in urban intellect, especially in light of Bahrain's interest in sustainable development goals.
The report also reviews Bahrain’s experience in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, and Team Bahrain’s reputed speed and efficiency verified by numerous international organizations led by the World Health Organization, which drew attention to several lessons learned that were scientifically monitored, analyzed, and shared within the framework of this report so that other Arab countries can benefit from.
It praised Bahrain’s efforts and its innovative approaches in responding to the pandemic, noting that the Kingdom had launched a financial package that exceeded 4.5 billion Bahraini dinars ($11.9 billion) to support the economic and commercial sectors, and took several rapid measures to confront the pandemic, including exempting consumers from paying bills. Although residents, companies and organizations were affected by the pandemic, they were exempted from paying electricity and water bills for a period of three months, and banks were asked to increase their lending capacity to about BD3.7 billion to postpone installments or provide additional financing to customers.
While the report confirmed the strength of the partnership between Bahraini institutions and United Nations organizations, it praised the high rank enjoyed by the Kingdom in the field of digital infrastructure, which constitutes one of the pillars of the Bahraini economy and played a pivotal role in attracting global capital - such as Amazon Web Services. As indicated in the UN’s latest report, anyone residing in Bahrain can use high-speed internet at a low price and with comprehensive coverage.
Derasat Center is a distinguished partner in several successful projects with UN organizations, including the 2018 Human Development Report in Bahrain, and a research and studies series on the social and economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Bahrain.
