Manama, Bahrain- The Supreme Council for the Environment, in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and with support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), organized a national workshop entitled "From Targets to Action: Aligning National Biodiversity Monitoring and Policies with the Global Biodiversity Framework” on Thursday in Manama. The workshop was held in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak bin Daina, Minister of Oil and Environment and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, and included representatives from government agencies, academic institutions, the private sector, and civil society. The workshop reviewed the outcomes of national efforts in aligning the National Biodiversity Strategy with the Global Biodiversity Framework, developing monitoring systems, strengthening policies and sustainable financing. His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak bin Daina emphasized that aligning national policies with the Global Biodiversity Framework is a fundamental step towards achieving environmental sustainability. He highlighted the importance of institutional and community partnerships to achieve all formulated national goals and to complete monitoring, follow-up, and planning processes to the fullest extent possible. He praised the prominent role of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the importance of continuing cooperation with them to achieve joint efforts aimed at conserving all elements of biodiversity. Asma Shalabi, UNDP Resident Representative in Bahrain, affirmed the programme's commitment to supporting the Kingdom's efforts to conserve biodiversity. She added that the progress achieved by the Kingdom of Bahrain in this area reflects the importance of inter-institutional coordination and joint action, and that UNDP is proud of its partnership with the Supreme Council for the Environment in supporting this path toward a future more in harmony with nature.The workshop concluded with the adoption of 23 national targets, which have been in development since November 2023 with a monitoring system to track progress in achieving them, and policy framework identified to fulfill this national commitment, which is scheduled to be completed between 2026 and 2031, and enhance readiness to move to more advanced stages, most notably the financing phase.

BEIRUT (ILO News) – A new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) projects that digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) will have an overall positive impact on jobs and growth in the Arab States region if supported by effective investments and policy measures. The report also highlights the need for countries to adopt inclusive policies that leave no one behind in the transition to a digital economy.
The report, Navigating the digital and artificial intelligence revolution in Arab labour markets: Trends, challenges and opportunities, highlights that nearly 14.6 per cent of jobs (almost 8 million) could benefit from AI-driven augmentation, where technology enhances rather than replaces human work. By contrast, around 2.2 per cent of jobs (around 1.2 million) across the region are potentially at risk of being automatable with generative AI.
The report finds that by 2035, AI integration could generate US$14.1 billion in additional GDP and lead to a net creation of 118,000 additional jobs across the region. But digitalization and AI will affect sectors unevenly. Sectors such as construction, transport and storage, teaching, personal services and engineering are expected to see net gains, while jobs in public services, basic manufacturing, retail and routine clerical work may decline.
“Digitalization and AI adoption in the labour market do not have to imply job destruction in the Arab States region,” said ILO Regional Director for Arab States Ruba Jaradat. “While some jobs will be lost, others will be augmented or newly created. The real benefits of AI and digitalization, however, can only be realized if governments, employers and workers take deliberate steps to make the transition inclusive and fair. This report is an important resource for policymakers, providing evidence, data and recommendations that can help the region prepare for the digital future of work and ensure that technological progress translates into more and better jobs and opportunities for all.”
The study highlights sharp disparities across demographic groups. Women hold more than three times the share of jobs at risk of automation due to generative AI (5.3 per cent) compared to men (1.6 per cent), reflecting women’s concentration in routine clerical roles. Yet they also stand to benefit the most from augmentation, with 22.7 per cent of female-held jobs potentially enhanced by generative AI technologies compared to 13 per cent of male-held jobs. Importantly, even after accounting for the job creation potential of AI and digital technologies, women are projected to face fewer job opportunities by 2035 unless policies are deliberately designed to address gender inequalities and actively promote women’s employment. 
Youth aged 15–24 are more likely to benefit from AI adoption, particularly in new tech-driven occupations, while older workers aged over 55 face greater risks of exclusion due to reskilling challenges. Other groups such as low-skilled workers, migrants, refugees and persons with disabilities also risk being left behind without targeted support.
The report stresses that the outcome of digital transformation will depend heavily on policy choices. Governments must invest in digital infrastructure and narrow the digital divide, especially in rural and conflict-affected areas. At the same time, they need to build a digitally skilled workforce by embedding digital literacy and lifelong learning, as well as science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects into education and training systems.
Robust social protection and employment services are also critical to help workers adapt to technological disruption, while micro, small and medium-sized enterprises must be supported to adopt digital tools and benefit from AI. The report also urges countries to update labour laws and regulations to protect workers in the digital economy, including platform and gig workers, while ensuring that strategies are developed through social dialogue among governments, employers and workers. Finally, the ILO calls for stronger regional and international cooperation to reduce disparities in digital readiness and align national strategies with global standards.
The report’s findings will guide ILO support to governments and social partners in navigating the digital transformation of work. They will serve as a foundation for developing and implementing regional, national and sectoral strategies that translate into tangible labour market and employment outcomes.
 The report covers the Arab States of the Gulf and the Levant: Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the State of Palestine, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. It provides an in-depth regional view that underpins the ILO’s global work on the world-of-work dimensions of AI and the digital economy through its Observatory on AI and Work in the Digital Economy.

The Secretary-General’s annual report, released on Thursday ahead of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly’s yearly high-level session, offers a sobering yet resolute account of the Organization’s efforts in the face of mounting challenges.Mr. Guterres highlighted the resilience of UN personnel, committed to delivering hope and help to those in need despite operating under difficult circumstances.  “The present report demonstrates that despite enormously trying times – indeed, precisely because of them – we can and must keep pushing for the better world that we know is within reach,” he said.Together with partners, the UN coordinated a $50 billion appeal for the humanitarian needs of 198 million people. “In 2024, the United Nations helped to mobilize $25 billion of the $50 billion funding target, enabling life-saving humanitarian assistance to reach 116 million people in urgent need across 77 countries and territories.”This enabled life-saving programmes in the Horn of Africa, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan, Ukraine, Yemen and regions affected by natural disasters like earthquakes in Vanuatu, drought in Southern and Eastern Africa and floods in South-East Asia.At the same time, UN operations in 2024 came at a heartbreaking human cost. It was the deadliest year on record for UN staff and humanitarian workers, with 373 aid workers killed. The vast majority of those casualties were personnel from the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), working in Gaza under extreme and dangerous conditions.In launching the report, the Secretary-General paid tribute to their sacrifice, reaffirming the UN’s unwavering commitment to standing with the world’s most vulnerable.© UNRWA/Mohammed HinnawiChildren find shade and take part in recreational activities organized by UN personnel in front of destroyed buildings in the Gaza Strip.Peace and security core to UN’s missionDiplomacy for peace remained core to the Organization’s work amid escalating global challenges to peace and security. Despite rising threats, the UN’s diplomatic efforts continued to protect hundreds of thousands of civilians daily and advance peace processes.During the political transition in Syria, the UN engaged stakeholders in line with Security Council resolution 2254 – which in 2015 endorsed a road map for a peace process in the country – to de-escalate violence, protect civilians and prevent regional spillover. Meanwhile, in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, Gaza and the West Bank and the broader region, the UN closely engaged all parties to end violence, enhance humanitarian access and sustain assistance to affected populations.In Lebanon the UN supported de-escalation and a resumption of a cessation of hostilities in line with our mandate under Security Council resolution 1701, enabling people to return to their homes on both sides of the Blue Line.The UN also facilitated peace talks, supported state-building efforts and helped to protect civilians globally, including in Sudan. The Organization’s efforts to help promote a peaceful coexistence in Abyei led to a drop in intercommunal violence.The Peacebuilding Fund allocated over $116 million to support national peace plans in 32 countries and territories, with a focus on gender equality. Partnerships with regional organizations, like the African Union, further bolstered conflict prevention.A renewed vision for the futureThe 2024 Summit of the Future marked a historic turning point for multilateralism. World leaders adopted the Pact for the Future, a landmark agreement to revitalize international cooperation and deliver solutions for people and planet.The Pact calls for stronger diplomacy and conflict prevention, reforms to the global financial system, urgent climate action, and accelerated progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also commits to more representative and effective global governance, including reforms to the Security Council and greater voice for developing countries.The Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations were adopted as annexes to the Pact, underscoring its breadth and ambition. The Compact advances a vision for a safe, open and inclusive digital future, committing Member States to close digital divides, promote universal digital public infrastructure, and strengthen governance of data and artificial intelligence.The Declaration, meanwhile, represents the first global agreement to systematically account for the rights and interests of tomorrow’s citizens in today’s decisions, embedding foresight in policymaking and paving the way for long-term, sustainable action.Together, these outcomes form the foundation of a generational renewal of multilateralism. As Secretary-General Guterres underscored: “By addressing the pressing issues of our time, the United Nations is paving the way for a more equitable and sustainable future, ensuring that digital technologies are harnessed for the benefit of all humanity.”UN Photo/Loey FelipeParticipants gather for the opening of the Summit of the Future, with Youth Lead for the Future as the opening Action Day theme.Human rights and sustainable developmentThe United Nations continues to be guided by the vision that human rights are a driving force for solutions to the many global challenges we face, and are the foundation for peace, justice and sustainable development. In 2024, the Organization advanced initiatives to eliminate violence against women and girls, empower rural and marginalized communities, and ensure women’s participation in peace and constitutional processes.Human rights were also woven into responses to conflict, migration, climate change and digital governance, helping to strengthen protection, accountability and inclusion across the Organization’s work.At the same time, sustainable development and climate action remained central. The UN supported 170 countries in implementing their nationally determined contributions to reduce emissions and provided targeted assistance for low-carbon transitions in developing States.The Organization also pressed for reforms to the global financial system to close the widening SDG financing gap, ensuring that the most vulnerable countries have a fair chance to deliver on the promise of the 2030 Agenda.A commitment to staff is a commitment to humanityThe Secretary-General highlighted the commitment of UN personnel working under extraordinary risk. He voiced alarm at the erosion of humanitarian norms, condemning deliberate attacks on civilians, hospitals, schools and aid workers, which undermine international law and the values of the UN Charter.Despite record dangers, staff carried forward their mission with courage and resilience.“The present report demonstrates that despite enormously trying times – indeed, precisely because of them – we can and must keep pushing for the better world that we know is within reach. We will renew our efforts to achieve peace, foster sustainable development and defend and uphold human rights, for all of humanity,” said Mr. Guterres.Together, these strands embody the spirit of an Organization striving not only to confront today’s crises but to uphold rights, deliver development, and serve people everywhere with integrity and compassion.

Manama, 14 September 2025 The WHO Country Office in Bahrain held an interactive session on healthy ageing at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland – Bahrain (RCSI Bahrain). The workshop equipped 126 medical students with a deeper understanding of healthy ageing and its growing importance for health systems. Through interactive discussions, students learned about WHO’s definition of healthy ageing and the vision of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030), discovering practical ways to create age-friendly environments, challenge ageism, and deliver integrated, person-centred and long-term care that preserves dignity and improves quality of life for older people. This practical training complements broader policy efforts by the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Bahrain, where in 2023, WHO, together with UNFPA, UNICEF, and UNDP, supported the Ministry of Social Development in reviewing the national strategy for the elderly to inform its update in line with the Government Plan (2023–2026) and Economic Vision 2030. WHO Bahrain remains committed to promoting healthy ageing as a national priority, offering technical expertise, data-driven insights, and policy guidance to support the Kingdom of Bahrain in building a health system that enables older people to live longer, healthier, and more meaningful lives.