The art gallery "Abbas Gallery'' in Bahrain hosted a cultural event on 21 September on the occasion of International Peace Day, with the participation of several artists, creative entrepreneurs, school students, and UN officials to convey a message of peace from Bahrain to the world. Abbas Almosawi, the curator of the "Abbas Almosawi Gallery" spoke to UNIC Manama about the initiative's purpose: "This initiative aims to highlight the role of art and creativity in advocating for peace at a time when the world is floundering in multiple crises, and the culture of peace is shrinking worldwide". “Our world needs peace more than ever before. This year’s theme for the International Day of Peace, “Our ambition to achieve global goals,” serves as a call for both individual and collective action in the pursuit of peace, which contributes to achieving the SDGs, which in turn consolidate the culture of peace," Ahmed Ben Lassoued, Director of the United Nations Information Center for the Gulf Countries in Manama (UNIC Manama), said. Creative entrepreneurs supported by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) took part in the exhibition. They showcased their creativity through paintings that beautifully expressed peace, love, and coexistence themes. Dr Hashim Hussain, Head of the UNIDO Office in the Kingdom of Bahrain, said, “The creative economy (or orange economy) is playing an increasing role in the global economy and also contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 16 related to peace. We at the UNIDO Office in Bahrain work to support creative entrepreneurs.”        

The year 2023 is on track to be the hottest year in recorded history. Emissions of greenhouse gases continue to grow and are at record levels. And this year we have seen extreme weather all over the planet. Heatwaves on land and in the sea. Devastating wildfires, droughts and floods. The climate chaos that scientists have been warning about for years is here. But we have the chance to put it right. This is a critical decade to take the actions needed to stabilize our climate and build prosperous, resilient societies. The Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) shows that we still have a narrow window to do that. It sets out the necessary pathways and the options we can take. The twenty-eighth United Nations Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 28) , beginning at the end of November, must be the point from which we start to course-correct. The first global stocktake shows us where we are falling short in our efforts to limit global warming to 1.5ºC and meet the other targets set out in the Paris Agreement. There can only be one response to this alarming assessment: renewed ambition and accelerated action—climate action that charts a course to 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5ºC. The Climate Ambition Summit convened by the Secretary-General is a critical moment to prepare for a COP that delivers strong and concrete outcomes. We need to do more, faster. The Secretary-General’s accelerated agenda shows us the way. Renewed ambition means commitments marked by specific and concrete targets and milestones that will deliver the unprecedented social and economic transition to keep 1.5ºC alive, even if we temporarily breach that limit over the next five years. We must accelerate action through implementing these solutions-oriented commitments faster and credibly, mobilizing all economic actors and sectors of society to the benefit of all. There can be no wavering on the path to this goal: half of humanity lives in areas vulnerable to climate change. Let’s look at how this will work in detail. Firstly, we must bend the curve on emissions. IPCC shows that a pathway to limiting global warming to 1.5ºC means emissions falling 43 per cent from 2019 levels by 2030, and reaching net-zero by mid-century. We need parties to the Convention to up their ambition in cutting emissions. Nationally Determined Contributions must go further than previous ones, involve absolute cuts in emissions and cover all sectors of the economy. They must also include updated net-zero targets. A key element of emission cuts will be energy transitions: phasing out coal by 2040 (or 2030 for industrialized countries) and phasing down oil and gas in line with a mid-century net-zero target. Renewables are already the cheapest form of power in most parts of the world. A massive scale-up in renewables will power the energy transition and help move away from fossil fuels in a just and equitable way.   In some countries, net-zero is becoming politicized. But net-zero is not a political slogan. It encapsulates the hard truth that if we want temperatures to stop rising, then we must stop emitting greenhouse gases. It means decarbonizing economic sectors wherever possible. In cases where emissions will continue, we must compensate by withdrawing emissions: hence the net in net-zero. Keeping 1.5ºC alive means net-zero: it is a fact. To be truly effective, climate action must be credible. It must involve everyone—cities, regions, businesses, households. And it must be built around specific targets. But we are already experiencing the effects of climate change, so renewed ambition and accelerated implementation also mean doing more, and faster, in adaptation, to build climate-resilient societies. Adaptation is essential to dealing with the changes already underway or on the horizon. From investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, adjusting the crops we grow and developing early warning systems for extreme weather, adaptation is as much a part of climate action as cutting emissions. Climate action must work for everyone, with demonstrable long-term gains for all of society, even when there are short-term challenges and trade-offs. Wind turbines and power station in the Ngong Hills, Kenya, 2 May 2021. Wikimedia Commons It must be about a just transition to a stable climate that protects the most vulnerable and ensures that no one is left behind. We must remember that those who are suffering the most today, the most vulnerable, are those who have contributed the least to the climate crisis. This transformation needs to mobilize funds on a huge but feasible scale. This means delivering on climate finance pledges already made, including the annual $100 billion from industrialized countries. We need to build on the historic decision at COP 27 and make the agreement on loss and damage a working reality. And there’s a need to build a global financial architecture that is fit for purpose, one that channels investment into renewable energy and sustainable living rather than subsidizing fossil fuels, aligns development banks with climate action, and incentivises private finance to invest in climate-friendly opportunities around the world. This transformation of the finance agenda is what will enable the climate course correction. In the weeks remaining before the opening of COP 28, let’s take every opportunity to put ambitious and accelerated climate action front and centre on the agenda. Every government, every business, every civil society organization must make this their priority—to set the bar at a level to which others can aspire. Every party to the Convention must come to COP 28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to solve a global problem with a global mindset. Pushing for outcomes that can win support from others, not falling back on red lines. Developing ambitious proposals that can mobilize support from other constituencies. In a word: cooperation. The United Nations Climate Change secretariat is ready to play its part as an honest broker to help parties develop solutions that work for all. We know what we have to do. Now we must mobilize the political will to do it, both ahead of COP 28, in Dubai and in the coming years. The Secretary-General’s Climate Ambition Summit (20 September) is our chance to prime COP 28 for action. The UN Chronicle is not an official record. It is privileged to host senior United Nations officials as well as distinguished contributors from outside the United Nations system whose views are not necessarily those of the United Nations. Similarly, the boundaries and names shown, and the designations used, in maps or articles do not necessarily imply endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. 

South-South cooperation (SSC), born out of shared experiences and based on solidarity, positions developing countries to effectively mitigate and adapt to climate disruption, address global health emergencies and tackle other cross-cutting development goals. It is a collaborative endeavour among developing countries that aims to address common developmental challenges by sharing resources, best practices and expertise. As we consider progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the halfway point in its implementation, it is alarming to note that countries are on track with only 15 per cent of the targets. However, leveraging South-South cooperation can help significantly in bridging this gap. Developing countries increasingly leverage the United Nations system in support of South-South cooperation, including through contributing to the SSC trust funds managed by the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), which have enabled over 70 countries to advance initiatives on sustainable development, working in partnership with over 20 United Nations agencies. The challenges before us may seem insurmountable, but on this United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation (12 September), United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres reminds us that, “When nations unite, they can overcome obstacles and accelerate sustainable development.” By strengthening our solidarity and partnership with fellow developing nations, we can rise above adversity together. Unlocking South-South potential Countries of the Global South, working closely with Northern partners and the United Nations, can multiply and optimize their sustainable development successes by coordinating their efforts and benefiting from economies of scale. It is our collective responsibility to build bridges and take urgent practical action to scale up South-South successes and lessons learned. During these turbulent times, and especially as the COVID-19 pandemic laid bare societal inequities and exacerbated vulnerabilities, we were truly able to witness the power of South-South partnership. We were proud to take note of numerous examples of South-South cooperation in action: countries are providing medical aid or expertise to their neighbours, tapping into each other's knowledge resources, establishing humanitarian and trade corridors, hosting refugees and sharing joint research, among other actions. Such solidarity reminds us of the power of South-South cooperation in overcoming even the most daunting obstacles across thematic areas. Knowledge-sharing and capacity-building Knowledge-sharing is central to South-South cooperation as it promotes an understanding of what works and what does not when facing common challenges. Through mutual exchange of expertise within the agriculture, science, technology, innovation or business sectors—just to name a few—developing nations can improve their capacity for innovation and problem-solving. For example, the South-South Galaxy platform, managed by UNOSSC, presents an array of vetted South-South and triangular solutions. Currently, Galaxy boasts over 900 development solutions addressing a wide range of cross-cutting development challenges across all of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and multiple thematic areas. The platform is open to all stakeholders for sharing solutions and potential scaling up. UNOSSC, working together with 30 United Nations entities, developed a United Nations System-Wide Strategy on South-South and Triangular Cooperation for Sustainable Development to promote a coordinated, coherent approach to United Nations programmatic work. UNOSSC is also rolling out a new set of guidelines for country- and regional-level work to anchor South-South and triangular cooperation in United Nations development planning instruments. The South-South trust funds managed by UNOSSC are also fostering innovation and replicating success, including through demonstration projects for potential replication that are expanding digital financial inclusion through pro-poor climate insurance schemes, expanding health e-learning and enabling vulnerable communities to make digital payments for micro utilities. Fostering economic partnership Fostering economic partnerships will also create an interconnected network of trade relations that bolsters regional markets while supporting the development of global partnerships. The United Nations has facilitated the establishment of economic partnerships and regional trade agreements among developing countries, enhancing their economic resilience and self-reliance. For instance, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development has actively supported regional trade blocs and facilitated trade capacity-building initiatives, enabling developing countries to tap into their economic potential and strengthen their international trade relations. These partnerships not only boost economic growth but also create opportunities for sharing economic strategies that prioritize sustainability and inclusivity. The international community must find ways for stronger coordination on debt transparency and restructuring, especially for countries in debt distress. What is needed is the mobilization of new and additional public resources to finance the SDGs. The United Nations Secretary-General has proposed an SDG Stimulus of $500 billion per year for this purpose. We need to channel these resources to countries in special conditions and facing enormous challenges unique to those conditions, for example, the Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs). We have an opportunity to help shape the successor to the Vienna Programme of Action (VPoA, concluding in 2024) that leverages SSC to help LLDCs surmount obstacles related to their remote locations and distance from global markets. Increased investments for infrastructure development and technical support for building human and productive capacities will be crucial for LLDCs that are behind on many SDG targets. Climate justice One more urgent area in which the power of South-South cooperation must be harnessed is the quest for climate justice. Developing countries bear the brunt of climate change impacts. Through cooperative efforts, we can pool our resources and expertise to better adapt to the consequences of climate change and pursue sustainable energy alternatives. Supported by the Qatar Fund For Development, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is helping informal market vendors in Uganda expand their businesses through digital technology and eCommerce. The initiative benefited from stimulating South-South exchanges on the role of transformative technology with several countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Niger and Nigeria. 2023, UNOSSC The United Nations has played a critical role in promoting South-South cooperation dealing with climate change mitigation and adaptation. Through collaborative efforts, countries in the Global South are pooling their resources to develop and adopt technologies that mitigate the impacts of climate change and promote sustainable growth. Honouring commitments to the proposed Loss and Damage Fund, the doubling of adaptation finance and the replenishment of the Green Climate Fund are essential. Education and skills development Finally, education and skills development are fundamental to achieving the SDGs. By collaborating on educational initiatives and sharing best practices in skills development, we can prepare generations for future challenges while ensuring social inclusion and progress. The United Nations has supported South-South cooperation in education by facilitating student exchanges, sharing educational resources and promoting training programmes. In Nicaragua, for example, the India-UN Development Partnership Fund and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) are strengthening institutional capacities for the inclusion of children with disabilities in the educational system. The project has developed the first national master’s degree in inclusive education and improved infrastructure in 15 schools, which now serve as prototypes for scaling up. In Viet Nam, an IBSA Fund project administered by the World Health Organization is implementing an innovative e-learning approach in coastal and rural communities. Efforts such as these are empowering developing countries to build skilled workforces and enhance human capital, laying the groundwork for sustainable economic progress. Moving forward As we celebrate the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation and prepare for the SDG and Climate Ambition Summits (New York, 18–19 and 20 September 2023, respectively), the twenty-eighth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 28) (Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 30 November–12 December 2023), as well as other future events, it is essential that we recognize that our path towards the SDGs requires unity, understanding and partnership. South-South cooperation is essential in unlocking the potential of each nation taking part in this shared journey. United Nations contributions to South-South cooperation have been instrumental in advancing the SDGs among developing countries. Through knowledge-sharing, capacity-building, economic partnerships, climate change mitigation and various other initiatives, the United Nations has fostered a spirit of collaboration and solidarity among nations in the Global South. As we move towards a more interconnected world, South-South cooperation remains an essential element in achieving sustainable development and fostering prosperity for all. The continued commitment of the United Nations to supporting these efforts is crucial to building a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable future.   The UN Chronicle is not an official record. It is privileged to host senior United Nations officials as well as distinguished contributors from outside the United Nations system whose views are not necessarily those of the United Nations. Similarly, the boundaries and names shown, and the designations used, in maps or articles do not necessarily imply endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. 

In his address to the General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly, Al-Zayani mentioned that Bahrain has succeeded in sharing its pioneering experience with the world in terms of tolerance, peaceful coexistence, respect for human rights, and the promotion of values of solidarity, humanitarian work, and international development. He added that Bahrain has established a set of priorities, recognizing that international cooperation based on mutual trust, sincere intentions, and shared understanding is the optimal path to overcome common challenges. He emphasized that the top priority is dialogue and peaceful approaches in ending wars and settling disputes, focusing on advancing the Middle East's peace process and supporting the Palestinian people's rights to establish their independent state. He expressed Bahrain's support for the continuation of the UN humanitarian ceasefire in Yemen. Additionally, he pointed out that Bahrain supports sustainable, peaceful solutions to crises in Syria, Lebanon, Sudan, Libya, and Afghanistan "while preserving the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of these countries."   "Positive developments" The Bahraini Foreign Minister also highlighted his country's commitment to establishing international relations based on good neighbourliness, respect for international law, the sovereignty and stability of states, and non-interference in their internal affairs. He expressed appreciation for "positive developments, such as Syria's return to the Arab League and the resumption of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran." Among Bahrain's priorities in addressing various challenges, Al-Zayani touched on the promotion of tolerance, a culture of peace, and interreligious and intercultural dialogue. He called on the international community to respond to Bahrain's call to adopt an international agreement to criminalize religious, sectarian, and racial hatred speech. Al-Zayani also stressed the importance of cooperation and coordination in combating terrorism and eradicating its sources, intensifying efforts to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction, collaborating to protect the security of commercial navigation and energy supplies in the Gulf region and countering cybercrimes.  He welcomed his country's involvement in the economic corridor project connecting India to Europe through the Middle East. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain also offered condolences to Morocco and Libya for the victims of the earthquake in Morocco and the floods in the Libyan city of Derna.   The Role of Women Al-Zayani stated that Bahrain has provided: A model of political development. The rule of law. Institutions with the framework of the separation of powers and cooperation based on the constitution. He praised the Bahraini Parliament's exercise of legislative and oversight powers and the establishment of justice within an impartial and independent judiciary supported by independent human rights institutions. He pointed out that Bahrain takes pride in its advanced legislative system that enhances respect for human rights and political and civil liberties. He also mentioned Bahrain's achievements in combating COVID-19, stating that the country has set a humanitarian and civilized example in dealing with the pandemic, continuing to implement an economic recovery plan. Al-Zayani also highlighted Bahrain's progress in the Human Development Index, ranking second in the Arab world and 35th globally and being ranked first in the Arab world and 21st globally in the World Happiness Report for 2022. He discussed Bahrain's excellence in the digital transformation field, with recognition as one of the leading countries in e-government and being ranked first globally in internet penetration by the World Bank. Additionally, Bahrain has approved a national strategy to support the transition to the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the digital economy. He spoke about women's participation, stating that Bahrain "takes pride in the progress and contributions of women as active partners in the comprehensive development achievements."