MoFA undersecretary receives UNDP officials

Manama, Apr. 1 (BNA): Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for International Affairs, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of The Bahrain Centre for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (DERASAT), Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa met with United Nations Development Programme's Deputy Assistant Administrator and Deputy Regional Director of the Regional Bureau for Arab States (RBAS), Sarah Poole, and Deputy Resident Representative for UNDP in Bahrain, Stefano Pettinato at the DERASAT headquarters. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah hailed the growing partnership between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Nations, its agencies and specialized programs, particularly the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), noting that the Kingdom has a strong record and a distinguished presence in achieving the noble goals of the Charter of the United Nations. During the meeting, the Undersecretary for International Affairs, DERASAT’s Board of Trustees Chairman, reviewed the positive cooperation between the two sides, which culminated in signing the Strategic Partnership Framework on October 24, 2017, in order to support the implementation of the Government's action plan and priorities, between governmental authorities and 16 UN agencies. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah affirmed that the Kingdom of Bahrain, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, has prioritized the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and has integrated them into the Government’s Action Plan. The Undersecretary for International Affairs, DERASAT’s Board of Trustees Chairman, noted the close cooperation with UNDP, pointing out the DERAST’s publication of the National Human Development Report, entitled "Sustainable Economic Growth" for the period 2015-2018, in cooperation with UNDP. He added that this report is a contribution for providing best corporate practices and the efficient use of available resources to strengthen Bahrain's leadership on the global sustainable development map. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah also noted the recent workshop held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on strengthening cooperation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and UN Agencies, in order to discover new opportunities and different fields to enhance relations and strategic partnership with the UN. He also discussed Royal Decree 22/2019 stipulating the establishment of a Sustainable Energy Centre (SEC) and the role of DERASAT in this regard in terms of supporting sustainable energy initiatives and projects, training of personnel, raising awareness in this regard, the organization of exhibitions and conferences, and the preparation of training courses on this matter. He also mentioned that the international recognition and awards that the Kingdom of Bahrain has received in the field of human development is based on solid foundations; it is the result of a comprehensive national vision, based on investment in humans. He added that the Kingdom of Bahrain is still achieving the SDGs at different levels according to UN reports, stressing the importance of adopting initiatives to enhance joint cooperation. Sarah Poole hailed the Kingdom of Bahrain’s keenness to strengthen cooperation with the UN in the field of supporting strategies and development indicators according to UN standards to achieve the SDGs.