MoFA undersecretary receives WFP office director

Manama, Aug. 5 (BNA): Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for International Affairs, Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, received the Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Office in the United Arab Emirates and Representative to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Abdul Majeed Yahya. The undersecretary welcomed Yahya’s visit to the Kingdom, in the framework of enhancing existing cooperation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Nations. He also praised the efforts and role of the WFP in combating famines and helping disaster and conflict victims as well as displaced persons all over the world. During the meeting, the undersecretary stressed that Bahrain actively and continuously contributes to supporting international initiatives to help humanity and ensure the provision of basic services, foremost of which is the right to food and the eradication of poverty and hunger in the world. He also noted that the Kingdom offers a global role model in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, starting with the reform approach of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the pioneering programs and government plans that are in line with the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030. He noted that the Kingdom initiated the launch of the 1st Voluntary National Review on the Sustainable Development Goals and linked it to the Government Action Plan, adding that 78% of these goals have been achieved. He pointed out that according to international standards; poverty and hunger are non-existent in Bahrain. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah hailed the cooperation between the Kingdom and the UN organizations under their Strategic Partnership Framework (2018-2022). He stressed the importance of enhancing coordination with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN in order to develop a national strategy for food security. He reiterated Bahrain’s support to WFP so that it could achieve its humanitarian objectives in the Republic of Yemen, particularly in the areas controlled by the Iran-backed Houthi militias. In this regard, he reviewed the logistic aid provided by the Kingdom to many brotherly and friendly countries. For his part, Yahya commended the Kingdom’s efforts in continuing its successful development process and hailed its keenness to build a distinguished partnership with the United Nations, including the World Food Program. He also expressed his appreciation for the SPF outcomes, which serve the SDG’s 2030.