Bahrain participates in High-Level Event on Culture and Sustainable Development

Manama, May 23 (BNA): The Kingdom of Bahrain has participated in the High-Level Event on Culture and Sustainable Development held by the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week on the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Jamal Faris Al-Ruwaie, said in his statement before the meeting that the Kingdom of Bahrain has a rich history and culture, an authentic Arab and Islamic identity and a presence of human civilizations as a cultural and intellectual center. The kingdom, he said, has contributed to the establishment of regional and international peace and protection of the world cultural and civilizational heritage thanks to the reform approach of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa who enabled Bahrain to assume its cultural and developmental status in the international community through the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Plan. The plan was adopted in September 2015 with an ambitious 17 global goals, which are closely related to various aspects of culture that constitute an enabling factor for economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development in terms of cultural heritage and creative cultural- oriented industries. The Ambassador added that the Kingdom of Bahrain has endeavored to enhance its cultural and civilizational achievements by providing the legislative and institutional framework in the field of culture with the establishment of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA. BACA, he said, promotes the Kingdom and its ancient history as a civilized country, characterized by vitality and openness to human civilizations and cultures and thus organizes many festivals, cultural, intellectual and artistic events each year. Most important of these events is the Spring of Culture Festival, which since its 2006 launch was the byproduct of over 14 years of close cooperation with the private sector institutions. This, he said, was out of belief in the investment in culture as a strategic choice and as a common human value that leads individuals and societies towards further development and cultural advancement. Emphasizing the role played by international partnerships in linking culture with the goals of sustainable development, the Permanent Representative noted that the Kingdom of Bahrain hosted UNESCO’s 42nd Session of the World Heritage Committee in June and July 2018. Ambassador Ruwaie added that UNESCO’s selection of Muharraq as the Arab region's Capital of Islamic Culture for 2018 came in recognition of its rich cultural diversity, ancient heritage and historical importance as a cultural, political, commercial and economic center.