Bahrain and United Nations sign ‘strategic and sustainable’ agreement for development

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Nations have extended growing cooperation by signing a key framework for development in various fields. The Strategic and Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2021-2022) was signed by Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani and the UN Resident Coordinator and the International Organisation for Migration Chief of Mission, Mohamed Al Zarakni, during a virtual ceremony.

It was also held in the presence of Assistant Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Faisal bin Jabur Al Doseri and the UN Regional Director for Arab States, Laila Baker, as well as a number of those concerned at the Ministry.

Minister Al Zayani said that the framework reflects their joint keenness to bolster cooperation, in a way that supports the implementation of the government’s action plan 2019-2022 and the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030.

It is part of the Kingdom’s implementation of sustainable development goals, especially in light of its efforts to confront the coronavirus pandemic. Dr Al Zayani thanked Al Zarakni for his continuous efforts in preparing the framework in cooperation with the Organisations and Legal Affairs Sectors at the Ministry and all relevant government agencies and institutions.

He also lauded all the representatives of the UN regional and resident agencies for their cooperation and expressed optimism that this agreement would continue the cooperation between Bahrain and the UN.

Al Doseri praised the efforts of the UN in signing the framework which he described as an example of constructive cooperation between both parties. He also welcomed the new agencies in the updated version of the framework, which in turn will enhance support and cooperation in future projects. Al Zarakni thanked Bahrain and the UN agencies for their diligent efforts in bringing about the updated version of the framework.

He also affirmed that the framework is fully compatible with the development strategies and policies of the Kingdom providing a platform for greater coordination on the implementation of support projects from the UN agencies.

Baker expressed great optimism on what this framework would achieve, especially in light of the pandemic. She said that the framework, a first of its kind in the Arab region, gives hope for the possibility of a multilateral partnership to lay down the necessary plans to build a better tomorrow for the peoples of the region and the world.