Former UN chief lauds HRH Premier's sustainable development vision, efforts

Manama, Dec. 26 (BNA): Former UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, has lauded the vision and efforts of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa in the field of sustainable development, which, he said, contributed to ensuring a thriving and diverse economy in Bahrain. Ban Ki-moon stressed that HRH Premier’s efforts have supported social welfare and focused on ensuring educational opportunities and jobs for all, which proves to the world that reducing poverty and improving the quality of life and social services are possible. In a letter addressed to HRH the Prime Minister, the former UN Secretary-General also expressed deepest gratitude to HRH Premier for conferring the "Khalifa Bin Salman Award for Sustainable Development" on him, and for receiving him during his recent visit to Bahrain. Ban Ki-moon hailed HRH Premier’s support for international efforts to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs), and expressed deep appreciation of and admiration for the Prime Minister’s leadership and achievements in various fields, wishing him abundant health and further success. Bahrain is truly a role model for others in the region as they embark on their journey to meet the aspirations of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs, he said in his letter. He stressed that achieving the joint efforts to implement SDGs requires institutional participation from the public and private sectors and civil society, noting that the "Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens", which was established earlier this year, will contribute to achieving that goal in cooperation with global partners who share its vision. Earlier this year, HRH the Prime Minister conferred the "HRH Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Award for Sustainable Development" 2018 on former UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, in recognition of his efforts and contributions in serving humanity and promoting global peace, security and achieving sustainable development goals. During the ceremony held here recently on his winning the "HRH Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Award for Sustainable Development" 2018, former UN Chief delivered a speech in which he expressed utmost honour in being granted the prestigious "HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Award for Sustainable Development". He lauded the kingdom’s distinguished sustainable development strides, improvement of public health services, strengthening social bonds and spreading the culture of peace. Ban Ki-moon recalled HRH Premier’s winning of the Scroll of Honour Award in Urban Development and Housing during the meetings of the United Nations Economic and Social Council in 2007 in recognition of his efforts in building a modern state in Bahrain and transforming it into a country with a prosperous and diverse economy that provides social care, jobs and education for all. He affirmed the Kingdom of Bahrain has been working to improve living conditions and social services by adopting urban development policies, implementing comprehensive social housing plans, providing basic health and education services and using renewable energy.