Bahrain Builds Arab Housing Bridges

Bahrain's Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, Shaikha Amna bint Ahmed Al-Rumaihi, conducted a series of high-level bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), currently underway in the Azerbaijani capital Baku from May 17 to 22.

The meetings brought together ministers and senior officials from several Arab nations, as well as the head of the United Nations' leading human settlements body. Discussions focused on deepening cooperation in urban planning, social housing policy, and the exchange of best practices across the sector.

Housing Reform and Urban Sustainability

Central to the discussions was the exploration of joint initiatives in sustainable urban development and advancing housing services across the region. Participants reviewed key themes emerging from WUF13's sessions, examining how global urban policy debates can strengthen national housing strategies and support implementation of the New Urban Agenda and the United Nations' 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

The talks also addressed the regulatory framework governing the real estate sector, focusing particularly on expanding the private sector's role in housing delivery—whether through government-partnered residential projects, citizen financing schemes, or increasing overall housing stock to meet growing demand.

Bahrain's Housing Strategy

Minister Al-Rumaihi outlined Bahrain's current housing delivery roadmap, guided by a Royal Directive to accelerate residential projects and provide 50,000 housing units. The strategy encompasses ownership service projects within existing housing cities, public-private partnerships through the Government Land Development Rights Programme and the Private Land Development Rights Programme, and diversified financing options offered in collaboration with the Housing Bank.

The Minister also highlighted Bahrain's flagship urban regeneration initiatives, including the Muharraq City Development Project and the historic Manama Souk District revitalisation — both central to the Kingdom's broader ambitions for heritage-sensitive urban development.

Regional Vision

Delegates exchanged views on internationally recognised best practices for managing rapid urban growth and developing infrastructure that can ensure quality of life for future generations — a theme running throughout WUF13's programme.

The forum, held biannually under the auspices of UN-Habitat, convenes governments, cities, civil society, and the private sector to advance the global urban development agenda.