Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2025-2029

In 2023, the United Nations in Bahrain embarked on the development of a new United Nations Sustainable Development 
Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for 2025-2029 with the Government of Bahrain (GoB) to replace the outgoing 
Strategic and Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (SCF) for 2021-2024. 

The new UNSDCF promotes a coherent and coordinated strategy to implement the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development while contributing to the attainment of Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030 and the Government Plan 2023-2026:

1.  Raising the Living Standard of Citizens to Preserve their Gains,
2. Justice, Security and Stability
3. Economic Recovery and Sustainable Development and  

4. High-quality and Competitive Government Services.

    

It seeks to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by capitalizing on key enablers. It was developed under the principles of the United Nations Development System Reform, using the new guidelines for the next generation of 
United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks. Launched in 2019, the reform places development 
at the heart of the United Nations, emphasizing the UN’s 2030 Agenda and the 17 SDGs. It aims to reposition the 
United Nations as a stronger, better-defined collective identity and a trusted, reliable, cohesive, accountable, and 
effective partner to countries working towards the 2030 Agenda.

These priorities are supported by four core outcomes, aiming towards universal access to quality services and 
resilient public spaces, a diversified and inclusive economy bolstered by sustainable practices, governance structures 
that guarantee justice and human rights, and robust environmental stewardship, driving sustainable and inclusive 
development in harmony with global goals and national visions. Partnerships, which are central to the 2030 Agenda, 
are mainstreamed across all four strategic priorities.

The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Bahrain led by the United Nations Resident Coordinator, is composed of 
representatives of 22 United Nations agencies, funds and programmes UNAFPs working jointly to support the country 
in achieving its development priorities aligned with the SDGs. Seven UNAFPs are physically present in Bahrain while 
14 are Non-Resident Agencies (NRA). 

In signing, the partners endorse this UNSDCF and emphasize their joint commitment towards fulfilling its objectives. 
The UNSDCF will be reviewed yearly by a Joint Steering Committee (JSC) of the GoB and the UNCT, thereby allowing 
the Government and the United Nations to reassess the designated areas of work and strengthen and adapt as 
needed, with the goal of accelerating progress towards achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and 
Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030.