Bahrain-UN Coordination and Follow-up Committee holds second meeting

Manama, Nov. 7 (BNA): The Coordination and Follow-up Committee between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Nations Agencies held its 2nd meeting today under the chairman of the Undersecretary for International Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa. The meeting kick-started in the presence of the United Nations Resident Coordinator and Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program, Mr. Amin El Sharkawi, Committee’s members, a number of government agencies and resident and regional United Nations agencies. The meeting reviewed a number of joint projects on the agenda, notably pertaining to the UNDP, UN-HABITAT, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA). They discussed ways of enhancing cooperation in all areas, in line with government plans, Bahrain Economic Vision 2030, and the implementation of sustainable development goals 2030, calling for averting duplication of initiatives and projects, to maximize benefits and cut out spending. Dr. Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa expressed his pride in the existing cooperation and partnership with the United Nations and its various programs and agencies and the benefits drawn by both sides. He cited in particular the technical and technological support provided by the UN agencies, which are in line with the development agenda of the Kingdom of Bahrain, mentioning UN transfer of Bahrain's advanced expertise as successful models in many fields to other world countries to follow suit. The Undersecretary for International Affairs extended the country’s congratulations on the occasion of the United Nations Day, which took place on 24 October. He noted that the Kingdom of Bahrain has presented many initiatives and set many examples of active support and cooperation with the international organization in line with its positive and lasting commitment to the noble humanitarian principles enshrined in the UN Charter. The establishment of the Coordination and Follow-up Committee between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the 16 UN Agencies is one of the fruits of the Strategic Partnership Framework for the years 2018-2020, signed on 24 October 2017, He said. "This is in order to support the implementation of the Government's Plan of Action and priorities as well as to strengthen institutional capacities and invest in the human element, taking into account the needs and satisfaction of citizens in accordance with the highest standards and international quality, what makes Bahrain lead under the rule of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa." The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for International Affairs pointed out that Bahrain is closely monitoring the progress of the existing projects and considering a new set of proposed projects in the context of the optimal use of budgets, in line with the guidance of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, given during the cabinet meeting on 8 October 2018. HRH, he said, ordered that all ministries and government institutions commit themselves and implement the fiscal balance program and its requirements to enhance financial sustainability, and to continue raising the level of government services, so as to promote the pace of comprehensive development in the Kingdom. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa said: "Our goal is to see the strategic partnership framework be a unique model in the region focusing on specific areas such as entrepreneurship, renewable energy resources, advanced training programs, human development, emerging projects and others. In this regard, he referred to the first World Youth Festival for Sustainable Development, which was held under the patronage of His Majesty the King, as part of the efforts of the Kingdom of Bahrain and its initiatives to involve Bahraini and international youth in achieving UN goals. The event witnessed vast international youth participation in addition to the presence of officials from around the world, United Nations representatives and UNDP officials. He also mentioned the importance of the Bahrain e-Government Forum 2018, which was held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Information and Communication Technology. The forum, he said, was held in October 2018 when the Ministry of Health was selected for the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force Award, lauding the many achievements of the Kingdom of Bahrain at all levels of human and urban development. He added that the Kingdom has ensured food security, initiatives and projects for youth and children and developed the spirit of innovation, the very topics tabled for discussion in the meeting, which paves the way for fertile ground and productive mechanisms for joint cooperation. For his part, Mr. Amin Al Sharkawi, thanked the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Nations agencies for their diligent efforts to develop and maximize sustainable development cooperation and for having adopted the best practices, policies and programs and developed and implemented several initiatives and projects to serve the Kingdom of Bahrain. He uttered confidence in the performance of the Committee in what pertains to proposals and follow-up to implement the agreed projects and achieve the desired benefit.