MoFA undersecretary meets UN officials

Manama, Sept. 24 (BNA): Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA)'s Undersecretary for International Affairs Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa met the Director of UNDP's Bureau of Management Services, Kaani Wignaraja, on the sidelines of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah praised the significant role played by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and its valuable contributions to support development projects, reviewing the bolstering cooperation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the international organization, which culminated in the signing of the strategic partnership framework on 24 October 2017, in order to support the implementation of the action plan and priorities of the government, in addition to strengthening institutional capacity with 16 UN agencies. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah also stressed that the Kingdom of Bahrain, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, has placed the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 at the forefront of national priorities, and has also integrated them into the Government’s Action Plan. The Undersecretary for International Affairs noted that the international accolades and awards that the Kingdom of Bahrain is receiving in the field of human development are considered the mere outcome of an integrated national vision. For her part, the Director of UNDP's Bureau of Management Services commended the Kingdom’s relentless efforts in the field of development, praising the signing of the strategic partnership framework, which is a quantum leap in the relationship between the two sides and the first of its kind in the region. The Undersecretary for International Affairs also met with the Assistant Secretary General for Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, Khaled Khiari. The Undersecretary for International Affairs highlighted the United Nations’ pivotal role in the protection of international peace and security, especially as the Middle East is facing increasing security challenges and complex conflicts, stressing in this regard the importance of eliminating any practices and violations by irresponsible parties trying to destabilize the region through interfering in the affairs of other countries and sponsoring terrorism. The Undersecretary for International Affairs affirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to align its development plans and programs with the Sustainable Development Goals, incorporating 78% of these goals into the government's work program. The Kingdom is also pursuing a comprehensive development strategy in all its dimensions to achieve balance and integration, pointing out the establishment of the Coordination and Follow-up Committee between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Nations agencies as a contribution to the strategic partnership framework in order to take into account the needs and satisfaction of citizens in accordance with the highest international quality standards. For his part, the Assistant Secretary General for Middle East, Asia and the Pacific expressed his pride towards the cooperation with the Kingdom of Bahrain, calling for concerted efforts to implement the development agenda and maintain international peace, wishing the Kingdom of Bahrain further progress and prosperity. The Undersecretary for International Affairs also met with the Undersecretary General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah praised the international organization’s efforts in building sustainable international peace, conflict prevention and addressing the root causes of problems in light of the security challenges facing the Middle East. The Undersecretary for International Affairs stated that the Kingdom of Bahrain firmly believes in the need to link peace and development in a safe and stable environment, noting that this can only be achieved through the effective recognition of the principles of good neighborliness, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries and respect for the principles of international law. In addition, he explained that the Kingdom of Bahrain, under the leadership of His Majesty the King, offers an enlightened vision of all humanity, based on reform, moderation and coexistence to create a better world of harmony and prosperity. For her part, the Undersecretary General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs expressed her appreciation for the role and positions of the Kingdom of Bahrain on regional and global peace, stressing that it provides a model in building a pioneering partnership with the United Nations and wishing it further success. On a related matter, the Undersecretary for International Affairs met with the Undersecretary General of United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), Liu Zhenmin. Dr. Shaikh Abdulla praised the support given by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs for the preparation of the first Voluntary National Review Report for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Undersecretary for International Affairs expressed his aspiration to enhance aspects of joint cooperation, especially in the field of programs and projects related to the exchange of experiences and capacity development between the two sides. He noted that this aims to invest in the human element, in line with the goals of the comprehensive reform approach, the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 and the government’s advanced plans and programs. For his part, the Undersecretary General of United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs expressed his pleasure to cooperate with the Kingdom of Bahrain and to maximize the benefit of specialized programs in the field of capacity development and exchange of experiences.