That was the central message of the Manama Declaration, issued at the close of the World Entrepreneurs and Investment Forum (WEIF) held this week in Bahrain.The declaration places women at the heart of economic transformation, underscoring that empowering them within business and innovation ecosystems is essential to achieving inclusive and sustainable growth.It also calls for strengthening women’s presence across emerging sectors, including the green, blue and orange economies which respectively promote environmental responsibility, sustainable use of ocean resources and creativity.Organized by the UN Industrial Development Organization’s (UNIDO) Investment and Technology Promotion Office in Bahrain, the forum convened leaders, investors and entrepreneurs from around the world to shape a more resilient global economy and unlock new opportunities for women-led enterprises.Abdelmonem MakkiWomen entrepreneurs gather on stage at the International Woman Entrepreneurial Challenge 2026 in Manama, Bahrain.“An amazing opportunity”For many participants, the forum delivered tangible results.Doris Martin, CEO of DMartin Consultancy in Bahrain, attended in search of meaningful collaboration and found it.Through business-to-business (B2B) meetings facilitated during the event, she established partnerships with companies in the United Arab Emirates and Morocco.“This forum has been effective for me,” she told UN News. “I’ve had B2B collaboration with regional companies through Bahrain and through UNIDO.”Tosin Arwejulo, CEO of Leadership Excel Consultancy and a Nigerian-American entrepreneur based in Bahrain, described the forum as a “powerful networking platform.”“I’ve had the opportunity to talk to people from literally every continent,” she said. “It has been an amazing opportunity to connect with like-minded leaders.”UN News/Abdelmonem MakkiFrom left to right: Tosin Arwejulo, CEO of Leadership Excel Consultancy and a Nigerian-American entrepreneur based in Bahrain, and Doris Martin, CEO of DMartin Consultancy in Bahrain(In the middle).Shared challenges, shared solutionsThe forum’s impact extended beyond the Arab region.Ayanthi Gurusinghe, President of the Ceylon Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka and representative of the South Asian Women Development Forum, attended alongside delegates from India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan.She said participants exchanged valuable lessons, particularly around access to finance, a challenge faced by women entrepreneurs across regions.“It was a good opportunity for networking, to come together, share views, learn and exchange experiences,” she said, expressing appreciation to UNIDO for creating a space where global connections could flourish.UN News/Abdelmonem MakkiAyanthi Gurusinghe, President of the Ceylon Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka and representative of the South Asian Women Development Forum, at WEIF 2026 in Bahrain.Special focus on artists with disabilitiesBeyond panel discussions and networking sessions, the forum also spotlighted inclusive entrepreneurship through three exhibitions including on “Determined Creative Entrepreneur.”Among the exhibitors was Nisreen Samour of Micro Art Center in Bahrain, which specializes in training and developing artistic talent, with a special focus on artists with disabilities.“Today, we have about nine students participating, each specializing in an artistic field that aligns with their interests and abilities,” she said.“I personally train them, and we are currently working on developing their skills and empowering them to produce professional artwork that will help them effectively enter the art market and the job market, thus contributing to increased productivity and the center's overall performance” she told UN News.The centre also works with orphans, helping them develop artistic skills and showcase their work publicly — fostering independence and self-reliance through creativity.UN News/Abdelmonem MakkiNisreen Samour of Micro Art Center in Bahrain, which specializes in training and developing artistic talent, with a special focus on artists with disabilities.The role of academiaOne recurring theme was the role of higher education in preparing young women to enter the world of entrepreneurship.In an interview with UN News, Dr. Nihal Al-Najjar, professor at the Royal University for Women in Bahrain, highlighted the need to embed entrepreneurship deeply within academic systems.“Our academic role is to integrate entrepreneurship not just as a subject, but as a methodology,” she said, explaining that experiential learning and practical application are key. “We encourage students to think, innovate and identify gaps in society, and then work to find solutions.”She added that universities must go beyond classroom teaching by connecting students to the wider entrepreneurial ecosystem, guiding them towards mentorship, funding opportunities and professional networks when they are ready to launch their own ventures.UN News/Abdelmonem MakkiDina Najar at WEIF2026 in Manama, Bahrain, covering Sustainable Development Goals.A driving force for sustainable developmentThe World Entrepreneurs and Investment Forum (WEIF) was preceded by the annual conference of the International Women Entrepreneurial Challenge (IWEC)—a New York-based NGO that helps women-owned businesses to grow.Speaking at the conference, UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller described women’s entrepreneurship as a driving force for sustainable development, global innovation and economic inclusion.“We must ensure that women everywhere have a level playing field and are given the opportunity to unlock their full potential,” he stated, highlighting persistent barriers to finance, technology, and higher-skilled roles for women globally.Reaffirming UNIDO’s commitment, he added that “empowering women is essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.”  The 17 SDGs, adopted by governments in 2015, provide a blueprint for a more just and equitable future for all people and the planet.Mr. Müller praised Bahrain’s leadership in supporting entrepreneurship and women’s economic participation and outlined UNIDO’s ongoing work in crisis-affected countries, noting, “UNIDO has just started working to set up recovery programmes in Syria, Sudan, and Palestine… mostly the women there are affected, and they need our support.”UNIDO ITPO BahrainGerd Müller, Director General of UNIDO, speaking at the International Woman Entrepreneurial Conference in Bahrain 2026.Women as engines of businessIn her opening remarks, IWEC Chair Ibukun Awosika highlighted women’s transformative role as engines of business, leadership, and national progress.She emphasized that women constitute half of the world’s productive assets and, when empowered, become game changers in corporate and political leadership. Drawing on her own journey, Ms. Awosika recalled building a manufacturing group over 36 years before becoming the first and only woman chair of sub-Saharan Africa’s oldest financial institution, First Bank of Nigeria.“What women represent to the world is 50 per cent of its assets — productive, constructive assets that are game changers when fully deployed,” she said.“Every nation that has enough wisdom to invest and to actualize the talent that is in 50 per cent of its population is a country that is set to win.”UNIDO ITPO BahrainH.E. Mrs. Ibukun Awo, IWECC Chair, speaking at WEIF2026 in Bahrain.Success Stories from Bahrain and NigeriaAccording to its website, the International Women Entrepreneurial Challenge (IWEC) has recognized 575 distinguished awardees globally, honoured annually at its conferences and nominated by partner organizations, representing women-owned businesses from across the world.In Bahrain, IWEC recognized a new cohort of awardees from the Middle East and Africa.Among them was Sonia Mohamed Janahi, founder of Maya La Chocolaterie, who highlighted UNIDO’s role in advancing women’s entrepreneurship.With UNIDO’s support, Janahi expanded her Bahraini chocolate brand into Africa, establishing a cocoa processing plant in Côte d’Ivoire, creating jobs, promoting ethical supply chains, and ensuring global recognition for African-produced chocolate.Abdelmonem MakkiOfficial event photo from WEIF2026 in Manama, Bahrain.“UNIDO has played a very vital role in my progression. They have taken my project and opened opportunities for me,” she told UN News, underscoring UNIDO’s commitment to recognizing women entrepreneurs across Bahrain, the Middle East, and Africa.“This event represents women globally and investments over $6 billion that bring women globally together. It awards women who have not just started a business but have sustained a business and scaled up a business and have had an impact on the economy and on the society.”Also honoured was Nigerian entrepreneur Oluwakelemi, who discussed her gifting and lifestyle retail business, which employs women and supports household incomes across Nigeria while preparing to expand internationally.“I am passionate about building scalable African businesses with global reach,” she told UN News. “Not less than 5,000 people have been able to benefit from our business, from our work.”UNIDO ITPO Bahrain

On 28 January, the King Hamad Global Centre for Coexistence and Tolerance (KHGC) brought together senior officials, diplomats, UN representatives, civil society partners, and faith leaders to mark the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence, reaffirming Bahrain’s commitment to fostering mutual respect, dialogue, and harmony among diverse cultures and communities.Speaking at the event, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Khaled El Mekwad, underscored the UN’s message that peaceful coexistence is “more than the absence of conflict – it is the ability to live together amid differences while upholding justice, dignity, equality, and human rights for all.” He highlighted that this vision is deeply rooted in the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which collectively emphasise peace as a foundation for inclusive and sustainable societies. The day serves as a collective commitment to building bridges of understanding and working together for a future where every person can live in dignity, peace, and mutual respect, he said. El Mekwad further stressed the critical role of education in cultivating tolerance and intercultural understanding, echoing the UN’s call to build societies rooted in empathy, fairness, and shared responsibility. The observance coincides with Bahrain’s assumption of its role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, an achievement the Resident Coordinator described as a reflection of the international community’s confidence in Bahrain’s constructive diplomacy and commitment to multilateral cooperation.He noted that Bahrain’s Security Council tenure offers an opportunity to elevate regional perspectives, reinforce the peaceful settlement of disputes, and support dialogue amid heightened global tensions.On 4 March 2025, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/79/269, proclaiming 28 January as the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence.The resolution emphasises the role of Member States and stakeholders in promoting tolerance, respect for religious and cultural diversity, and human rights. It also invites all countries, international organisations, civil society, and the media to celebrate the International Day through meaningful activities that foster a culture of peace, inclusion, understanding, and solidarity.  

The United Nations in Bahrain convened this week two-day, high-level consultation workshops with representatives of Bahrain’s public and private sectors to advance a more coherent, streamlined, and results-driven approach to partnerships under the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2025–2029.Facilitated by the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bahrain, the workshops brought together United Nations officials, government representatives, and private-sector partners, including members of chambers of commerce, and academics. The consultations marked a major step towards a new UN Bahrain–Public Sector–Private Sector Partnership Strategy for 2026–2029 and strengthening institutional alignment around partnership engagement.The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bahrain, Khaled El Mekwad, highlighted the strong potential of UN-Bahrain collaboration, through more structured and strategic partnerships, to accelerate progress on shared priorities, including achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He noted that the objective is “to make partnerships easier to do, faster to launch, and better aligned with national development priorities,” emphasising that partnerships are not only about funding, but about mobilising Bahrain’s conducive ecosystem of technological expertise, innovation, data solutions, and co-financing models.“The UNSDCF 2025–2029 provides a strategic framework that aligns United Nations support with the Kingdom of Bahrain's development priorities, including Bahrain Economic Vision 2030, while emphasising results, innovation and impact,” said Hatem Abdelhameed Hatem, Head of International Organisations at Bahrain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He highlighted “the importance of a clear and structured triangular model that brings together the Government, the United Nations and the Private Sector to translate priorities into concrete initiatives, investments and scalable impact.”Participants discussed proposals of effective pathways for UN–Private Sector Partnership, a triangular UN–Government–Private Sector model designed to bring greater clarity to roles, coordination mechanisms, and approval processes.They jointly reviewed key findings of the new UN Bahrain partnership strategy, examined opportunities in SDG-aligned investment, and discussed practical engagement modalities to strengthen institutional coherence.Discussions included priority areas of United Nations- Bahrain partnership, including manufacturing, food security, logistics and connectivity; digital transformation and innovation- FinTech, AI and ICT; clean and renewable energy transition; vocational education, health services, sustainable tourism and hospitality innovation; gender and disability inclusion.

 As of January 2026, Kingdom of Bahrain has formally taken its seat as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, marking a significant milestone in the Kingdom’s diplomatic engagement at the international level.Bahrain will serve a two-year term on the Council, joining Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia and Liberia as newly elected members. Their accession follows the conclusion of the mandates of Algeria, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone and Slovenia at the end of 2025.Through this membership, Bahrain joins ten non-permanent members serving alongside the Council’s five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States — who hold veto power over substantive resolutions, regardless of majority support.What the Security Council does Under the UN Charter, the Security Council has primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. It is the only UN body whose decisions are legally binding on all Member States.It can investigate disputes, urge parties to resolve conflicts, impose sanctions, authorise peacekeeping operations and – in exceptional circumstances – approve the use of force. Its resolutions shape international responses to armed conflicts, terrorism and nuclear proliferation.The Council’s work unfolds both in public and behind closed doors: open meetings allow Member States, the media and the public, access to debates and briefings, while closed consultations give diplomats space to negotiate sensitive issues privately. The Council has a calendar of meetings but can also convene emergency sessions at short notice.Bahrain’s Role at the Heart of Global Peace and SecurityNon-permanent members of the Security Council are elected by the UN General Assembly through a competitive and highly selective process, requiring a two-thirds majority vote. Membership entails significant diplomatic, logistical and financialcommitments, underscoring the importance of Bahrain’s election and readiness to shoulder global responsibilities.During its term, Bahrain will contribute to discussions on conflict prevention, peacekeeping operations, sanctions regimes, counter-terrorism efforts and responses to emerging global crises. Council members engage in both open meetings, accessible to the wider UN membership and media, and closed consultations where sensitive diplomatic negotiations take place.Bahrain’s participation also allows it to raise perspectives from its regional context while working within a multilateral framework to promote dialogue, stability and cooperation.Serving Amid Global DivisionsBahrain begins its term at a time of heightened geopolitical tension, with divisions among major powers increasingly affecting the Council’s ability to act unanimously. Conflicts in regions such as Ukraine and the Middle East, alongside the expanded use of vetoes by permanent members in recent years, have underscored the challenges facing the body.Against this backdrop, Bahrain’s role will involve navigating complex diplomatic dynamics while supporting efforts to uphold international law, multilateral cooperation and peaceful conflict resolution.Somalia at the helmEach month, one Council member serves as President, a role that rotates in English alphabetical order among the 15 members. For January, it is Somalia.The Presidency sets the programme of work, chairs meetings and issues statements on behalf of the Council. It is a role described as “wearing two hats”: acting both as a neutral facilitator for the Council as a whole and as a representative of their own national government.After a turbulent 2025 that saw escalating warfare and shrinking resources, 2026 will test whether members can help build momentum and open space for decisive action, in a body increasingly shaped by entrenched positions.