Foreign Ministry Undersecretary opens UN Country Team Forum

Manama, Oct.6 (BNA): The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for International Affairs, Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, inaugurated the United Nations Country Team Forum (UNCT). The event included UN agencies working in the Kingdom of Bahrain to discuss the latest developments related to the Strategic Partnership Framework, signed on 24 October 2017, between the Kingdom of Bahrain and 16 resident and regional UN agencies. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah delivered a speech in which he stressed that the Kingdom of Bahrain, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, is among the top countries in interacting and responding to the goals and principles of the United Nations. He noted that the Kingdom has succeeded in achieving a qualitative strategic partnership with the United Nations in recognition of the organization’s important role in creating a safer and more prosperous world. The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for International Affairs expressed his pride in the efforts exerted by the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, where it adopts a comprehensive strategy for development in the economic, social and environmental fields. He also said that the international recognition of the first voluntary report of the Kingdom of Bahrain at the United Nations mirrors the developmental policies adopted by the Kingdom. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah stressed that the Kingdom of Bahrain has provided all means and facilities for the work of UN programs and offices in its territories i order to strengthen coordination and find new opportunities. He also recalled the workshop organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs last March in this regard. He said that the forum coincides with the Government Forum 2019, which aims to develop government performance by improving the quality and level of services of ministries and government agencies, inanition to encouraging innovation and excellence to reach the utmost satisfaction of customers. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah also referred to the recent meetings he held with UN officials, directors of programs and specialized agencies, on the sidelines of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly in New York City. He highlighted the international hospitality and admiration of the Kingdom's development model and its growing partnership with the international organization. The Undersecretary for International Affairs reviewed the Strategic Partnership Framework, which contributes to the implementation of government action plans in accordance with national priorities and the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030. He added that the Coordination and Follow-up Committee between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Nations Agencies was established to guarantee the optimal implementation of these goals. He stated that the Kingdom of Bahrain is one of the most important actors in the field of sustainable development, as it has been able to achieve high development rates, improve the quality of life, provide the best basic services, strengthen institutional governance, empower civil society and partnership with the private sector under the rule of law. He stressed that Kingdom of Bahrain is committed to the strengthening of knowledge, capacity building and human resources development, adding that it encourages the exchange of expertise and creating environments for sustainable investment. He affirmed that the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Nations are partners in development, and expressed his aspirations to continuing cooperation with the UN Country Team to achieve common goals.