Sustainable Development Minister: Bahrain keen to launch initiatives aimed at adopting innovative green solutions

Dubai, Sept. 30 (BNA): Minister of Sustainable Development Noor bint Ali Al Khulaif stressed Bahrain’s keenness to launch initiatives and strategies aimed at adopting innovative green solutions so as to achieve the sustainable development goals and balance between economic growth and sustainability of the natural and environmental resources. This came during her participation in the dialogue session on sustainable development in the Kingdom of Bahrain, which was held within the activities of the eighth session of the World Green Economy Summit, which is being held under the patronage of the UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The summit is being held in the UAE under the theme "Leading Climate Action through Cooperation: The Roadmap to Achieving Carbon Neutrality", with the participation of a large number of the most prominent leaders of climate action, ministers and officials in all sectors of the green economy and sustainable development from around the world. The minister said that the Kingdom of Bahrain has made big strides in implementing the sustainable development goals, including those related to energy, finance, food security and youth, which are the focus of the summit, in line with the principles of the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030, which is based on sustainability, competitiveness and justice. Al-Khulaif also spoke about Bahrain's commitment to implementing plans and projects related to climate change, which places as a priority the participation of the international community in providing a safe environment for humanity. She noted that the Kingdom joined the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and ratified the Paris Agreement within the framework of this agreement. It announced its goal to reach zero neutrality in the year 2060, as well as its implementation of the afforestation plan, which aims to double the number of trees by increasing the number of mangrove trees four times. She also pointed out other initiatives aimed at doubling renewable energy goals and reducing emissions by 30% by 2035, compared to the baseline in 2015. She added that the Kingdom of Bahrain intensified efforts towards transitioning to a more efficient system of renewable energy by launching the National Energy Efficiency Plan and the National Renewable Energy Plan. She pointed out the role of goal 17 of the Sustainable Development Goals, "partnerships to achieve the goals", considering partnerships as crucial for countries, especially in capacity development and knowledge sharing. In this context, Al-Khulaif explained that the Kingdom of Bahrain is a member of the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS), which is one of the most important international bodies specialized in the field of green economy and includes 114 members of the supervisory bodies of the financial and banking sectors in the world. Bahrain is also part of the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action, which brings together financial and economic policymakers from more than 75 countries to lead the global climate response and secure an equitable transition towards resilient, low-carbon development. The minister stressed that sustainability in the next stage should focus on achieving international climate ambitions, as the Kingdom of Bahrain had adopted the principle of sustainability in all its development stages, be they at the economic level or financial or environmental balance. At the conclusion of her participation, Al-Khulaif pointed to the importance of exchanging information and experiences and strengthening partnerships with various countries to reach advanced solutions in all sectors of the green economy and sustainable development. She indicated the continuous keenness of the government to redouble efforts in order to achieve the SDGs and to emphasize the adoption of smart solutions to contribute to maintaining the sustainability of a clean environment.