International Day of Conscience a global recognition of HRH Premier's peace, sustainable development initiatives, efforts

Manama, Apr. 3 (BNA): The United Nation will celebrate the International Day of Conscience on April 5 in response to the unique initiative launched by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa. HRH Premier’s initiative, which was welcomed all over the work and was adopted by the UN, adds to the kingdom’s international achievements, and reflects the distinguished status enjoyed by Prime Minister thanks to his initiatives and efforts aimed at consolidating global peace and pushing sustainable development endeavours forward. Indeed, the celebration of an initiative carrying Bahrain’s name at the UN is a global token of recognition of Bahrain as a land of peace, co-existence and fraternity. It is also a confirmation of the keenness of the kingdom, under His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, to play an effective role and contribute to international efforts aimed at achieving the interests of humanity, as well as ever-lasting security, peace, stability and sustainable development worldwide. Marking the International Day of Conscience at the UN confirms HRH Premier’s prestigious international status and weight thanks to his initiatives and efforts aimed at strengthening the pillars of global peace, and strengthening international solidarity and cooperation to carry on sustainable development efforts. The International Day of Conscience crowns HRH Premier’s initiatives and sound vision on the inter-relationship between peace and development, and that none of them can be achieved without the other. The UN has asserted that HRH Premier’s initiative awakened the pacifism among humans, as peace is the real means to achieve the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030, and all its 17 sub goals, noting that activating international conscience will contribute to achieving the 17 SDGs and resolving many peoples’ problems. This can be achieved through five main principles, namely adherence of peaceful means to resolve international conflicts, laying the foundations for peace, achieving sustainable development, dealing seriously with the tragic situations resulting from conflicts and developing a comprehensive vision to address the security, political and economic challenges. Such five principles represent a strategic roadmap to deal the current global situation and the problems peoples are facing. The world has become in dire need for an initiative such as HRH Premier’s, especially amid the current circumstances created by the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which requires global solidarity, concerted efforts of the International Community and an awakening of the International Conscience to deal with the effects of the pandemic. In fact, conscience is crucial in making humans morally-responsible towards the others. HRH the Prime Minister called, in a speech delivered on his behalf by Cabinet Affairs Minister, Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al-Mutawa, at the "Bahrain Visions Forum: Shared Visions for a Successful Future", on the UN Secretary-General to adopt the appointment of ambassadors of global conscience, in order to stimulate the human conscience to contribute to the resolution of issues facing humanity in the political, economic, social and environmental fields. Indeed, the UN adopted HRH Premier’s initiative out of its belief in his efforts in the service of humanity, as reflected in his multiple policies and initiatives, both at the local and international levels, to achieve sustainable development. At the local level, Bahrain boasts a rich experience in the field of development in all its dimensions, which has entitled it to cope with the world’s efforts in the field of sustainable development. It suffices to say that Bahrain achieved the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) ahead of the 2015 schedule, out-forming many countries, and becoming a role model in mobilizing and directing its potentials to meet the aspirations of its all its citizens, without distinction, which has earned it great UN appreciation. At the international level, HRH Premier launched innumerable initiatives, most of which aim to encourage the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals and consolidate the International Community’s steps towards a stable and secure world in which peace and co-existence among all countries and peoples prevail. Moreover, the Prime Minister’s vision on the correlation between peace and SDGs has made Bahrain a global model that deserves respect and appreciation. The “Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa’s Award for Sustainable Development”, launched in partnership with the UN, is just one example of HRH Premier’s creative initiatives aimed at supporting the efforts of the International Community to assist poor communities and enable them to achieve advanced urban development levels that provide the requirements of decent living for their peoples. HRH the Prime Minister’s efforts have been recognised by the United Nations more than one, including the 2010 UN Millennium Development Goals Award, the 2006 Scroll of Honour Award in Urban Development and Housing granted to him by UN-Habitat and the UNESCO-Avicenna Gold Medal in 2010. The UN celebration of the International Day of Conscience inscribes the name of HRH the Prime Minister as one of the distinguished leaders who have contributes to supporting the values of peace, coexistence and global harmony, as well as in paving the way for peace, development, moderation and tolerance. It also highlights the position of Bahrain and its pioneering role in serving humanitarian issues and strengthening the global partnership for peace and stability as the best means to promote peace, harmony, stability, solidarity and love, which would push development efforts worldwide.