United Nations in Bahrain

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. With 21 United Nations Entities represented in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the work of the United Nations encompasses all 17 SDGs.

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28 August 2025

UNCT 2024 Annual Report showcases a year of progress toward the SDGs

The United Nations in Bahrain 2024 Annual report, released today, showcases a year of impactful collaboration, innovation, and progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It was handed over to the Government during a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Through strategic partnerships with the Government of Bahrain, civil society, and the private sector, the UNCT has delivered results that reflect the country’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive development,” said United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bahrain, Khaled El Mekwad. “This report is more than a reflection of our joint work with the Government of Bahrain—it’s a testament to what can be achieved when we unite around shared goals, and it demonstrates how the UN system continues to support Bahrain’s Vision 2030 and its national development priorities,” El Mekwad said.The report emphasises the collective achievements of the United Nations in Bahrain across key development areas. Main highlights include strengthened policy support for climate resilience, sustainable and healthy cities, and an inclusive green transition. Additionally, there has been enhanced youth engagement through education and innovation programs, expanded initiatives promoting women’s leadership and economic participation, as well as accelerated digital solutions for public service delivery and governance. As the closing year of a five-year Cooperation Framework cycle, 2024 was also a year of transition and looking forward, marked by the consolidation of achievements, high-level multilateral engagement between the United Nations and Bahrain, as well as multistakeholder consultations leading up to the signing, on 23 December 2024, of a new Cooperation Framework for Bahrain for 2025-2029.

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13 November 2025

‘A wave of truth’: COP30 targets disinformation threat to climate action

By Felipe de Carvalho
Negotiators in Belém, Brazil, opened COP30 with a stark warning: the race to avert catastrophic global heating is being sabotaged by a surge of climate disinformation. The falsehoods, spreading faster than ever online, threaten to derail fragile progress on climate action.Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva set the tone at the opening session, declaring that the battle for truth has become just as critical as the fight to cut emissions. COP30 must mark “a new defeat for climate denialists,” he said. On Wednesday, 12 nations – including Brazil, Canada, France, Germany and Spain – signed onto the first-ever Declaration on Information Integrity on Climate Change, pledging to fight back against the flood of false content and protect those on the frontlines of truth: environmental journalists, scientists and researchers.The declaration, unveiled under the Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change, calls for concrete steps to dismantle networks of climate lies and shield evidence-based voices from harassment and attacks.João Brant, Brazil’s Secretary for Digital Policies, said the goal is simple but urgent: to “create a wave of truth.”The initiative, launched in June, is a partnership between Brazil, the UN Department of Global Communications and UNESCO.Disinformation: a direct threat to COP30 Frederico Assis, COP30’s Special Envoy for Information Integrity, warned that the stakes could not be higher. “Disinformation, driven by obscurantist worldviews, fuels political extremism and puts lives at risk,” he told UN News, adding that there is a real danger of interference in climate negotiations.“There is broad recognition that disinformation can affect and compromise every part of the COP process – process diplomatic negotiations, the action agenda, or mobilization and summits. All our efforts will be at risk if we fail to tackle disinformation properly, which stems from denialism,” Mr. Assis said.He flagged the role of algorithms amplifying “conspiratorial and manipulative” content, often using “sophisticated tactics to spread false messages.” His mandate: keep the issue in the public eye and mobilize political, religious and social leaders, civil society and the media to push back. Cracking the code behind climate lies For the first time, information integrity has made it onto the official COP agenda – a milestone UNESCO’s Guilherme Canela says is long overdue.Speaking to UN News, Mr. Canela stressed that the global initiative aims to expose the machinery driving climate disinformation.“We still know very little about what’s behind this. For example, who funds these posts, and why do they spread faster than other types of content? How does that happen? If we don’t understand these mechanisms, it’s very difficult to design effective strategies to combat this phenomenon. The core of this global initiative is precisely to finance, especially in the Global South, investigative journalism and research projects to uncover what’s really happening,” he said.The Global Fund for Information Integrity on Climate Change, created under the initiative, has already attracted 447 proposals from nearly 100 countries. Backed by an initial $1 million from Brazil, the fund is supporting its first round of projects – almost two-thirds from developing nations.Mr. Canela called it “very rewarding” to see the issue “embraced so strongly at COP30.” Disinformation’s shape-shifting tactics Maria Clara Moraes, a UN Verified Champion and co-founder of the Marias Verdes platform, knows the battle well. With over half a million TikTok followers, she says the fight against climate disinformation is “completely possible, but also extremely challenging.”She warns that these campaigns are highly organized and “backed by powerful forces, particularly the fossil fuel industry.” Their narratives, she says, “change their disguise” over time.“There are several types of disinformation. One of the most powerful is saying that it’s too late – that nothing can be done, or that these events like COP30 don’t make a difference. That’s also disinformation. Saying, ‘This isn’t working, it’s too slow, too complex, too frustrating.’ But yes – it’s important. We must constantly reaffirm the value of multilateralism and the importance of spaces like this one,” she said. A generation that refuses to give up Despite the challenges, Ms. Moraes told us that she sees hope in younger generations. By producing content rooted in science and sustainability, she says awareness of the climate emergency is growing fast.According to her, young people are “a great source of hope and optimism.” She urges everyone to play their part in creating “micro-revolutions” through everyday choices that support climate action and drive systemic change.

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02 October 2025

Arab States advance regional action through first coordination meeting on marine disaster risk reduction

Alexandria, Egypt - 30 June 2025 - Representatives from 15 Arab states, regional organizations, and international partners convened from 28 to 30 June at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) in Abu Qir for the First Coordination Meeting of the Arab Programme for Reducing Marine Disasters.Organized under the auspices of the League of Arab States, hosted by AASTMT, and with active participation and facilitation by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, Regional Office for the Arab States (UNDRR ROAS), the three-day meeting marked a significant step towards operationalizing the Arab Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction by establishing a coordinated regional programme to address marine disaster risks and by finalizing the draft concept note for the Arab Programme for Marine DRR.Strengthening regional capacities and coordination
The meeting opened with remarks from H.E. Prof. Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghaffar, President of AASTMT, who emphasized:"This meeting reflects the Academy's commitment to its role as an Arab centre of excellence in maritime transport and logistics. Marine disaster risk reduction is at the top of our priorities, recognizing its importance amid growing environmental and navigational challenges facing Arab countries."He added:"We seek to be an active partner in implementing the Arab Programme for Reducing Marine Disasters by strengthening cooperation with international and regional organizations, exchanging expertise, and building specialized technical capacities."H.E. Minister Plenipotentiary Dr. Mahmoud Reda Fathallah, Director at the League of Arab States, stated:"The League attaches increasing importance to disaster risk reduction and works through its specialized bodies to coordinate Arab efforts to enhance member states' capacities to deal with natural and man-made risks."He highlighted:"This meeting is an important step towards building an effective Arab roadmap to reduce marine disasters in cooperation with development partners and relevant organizations."The opening session was also addressed by H.E. Ambassador Ali Abdi, Ambassador of Somalia in Egypt and Permanent Representative to the League of Arab States, alongside senior officials from ministries of foreign affairs, interior, and transport.Key outcomes
Participants engaged in four thematic sessions, including:Development and finalization of the Arab Programme for Reducing Marine Disasters Concept and the 2025-2027 Action Plan, defining the programme's strategic vision, objectives, and priority actions to build safer coastal communities.
Presentations on global and regional marine disaster risk reduction efforts, covering policies, technologies, and multi-stakeholder partnerships to strengthen preparedness and response.
Sharing of national experiences and lessons learned from Arab states to enhance mutual learning and identify scalable solutions.
Identification of regional priorities, capacity-building needs, and coordination mechanisms to advance joint action under the Arab Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction.
Participants also conducted technical field visits to AASTMT's Integrated Simulation Complex, Planetarium, Maritime Safety Institute, and College of Maritime Transport and Technology simulators, gaining insights into cutting-edge technologies that strengthen preparedness, response, and maritime safety training capacities.Towards a safer marine environment
The Arab Programme for Reducing Marine Disasters (2025-2030) aims to:Establish a joint operational framework for preparedness, response, and recovery.
Enhance early warning systems and preventive measures aligned with international standards.
Strengthen emergency response capacities at national and regional levels.
Promote protection of marine environments and biodiversity.
Facilitate knowledge exchange and capacity building among Arab states.
Advance regional and international cooperation to build marine disaster resilience.
Editors' recommendations
Nature-based solutions for comprehensive disaster and climate risk management: Toolkit for integrated planning and implementation of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation
Water risks and resilience
Facing the heat: how the Arab Region is tackling rising temperatures
Returning to our roots: the value of ancestral knowledge in facing future challenges

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01 October 2025

Digitalization and artificial intelligence promise to boost jobs in the Arab States – but they must be managed inclusively

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.

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24 November 2024

Bahrain UN Country Team Gender Theme Group Strategises Advancing Gender Equality in 2025

Since its establishment in 2023, the Gender Theme Group (GTG) of the Bahrain UN Country Team (UNCT) has been driving efforts to enhance gender mainstreaming efforts across the UN’s work in Bahrain. With a commitment to achieving tangible results for women and girls, the GTG recently held a two-day strategic retreat to review achievements and set ambitious priorities for 2025.UN Women and United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA) as co-chairs of the GTG, led the retreat with the participation of UN-Habitat, OHCHR, IOM, UN Information Center (UNIC) and WHO and with the support of the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO).The retreat kicked off with a review of the GTG workplan 2024 implementation and progress on the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard (GES). The group assessed the annual workplan to identify advancements in integrating a gender perspective into the UNCT joint work. Based on this progress, the GTG drafted the Scorecard annual report, selecting five performance indicators to demonstrate improvements in the UNCT’s collective efforts on gender equality . During the retreat, UN Women introduced the GTG study conducted this year to calculate members’ staff time contribution to the GTG, and which offered key recommendations to strengthen GTG capacity to drive gender results for the UNCT’s joint work. Drawing on the results of the study and other insights, the GTG developed key actions to include in the team’s 2025 workplan.On the second day, UN Women facilitated capacity building sessions to support the GTG in implementing its workplan in line with the global standard and procedures for Gender Theme Groups. The training included a refresher on the Gender Equality Marker (GEM), a tool to assess resource allocation in activities in the UN Country Team Joint Workplan that promote gender equality. An introductory session on Gender Mainstreaming followed, providing guidance on how UN agencies can more effectively integrate gender equality perspectives in their programming. Additionally, a session on gender-based results monitoring and reporting was conducted to examine gender-responsive monitoring structure and explore practical methods for including measurement for gender-related changes to the indicators.The retreat reinforced the GTG’s role in driving accountability and building capacity for UN gender-responsive programming within the UNCT. As Bahrain continues to advance gender equality in line with Sustainable Development Goal 5, the GTG remains committed to achieving cohesive, transformative results for women and girls, contributing to the broader realization of the SDGs.“Building on this year’s achievements, the GTG will ensure that gender equality and women’s empowerment remain central to the UNCT’s joint work in Bahrain bolstered by the technical training conducted during the retreat. The GTG’s collective efforts will ensure that the UN Country Team is able to collaborate effectively with our national partners and contribute to the national development priorities of the Kingdom of Bahrain around women’s empowerment and the Beijing Platform for Action” said Josephine Moss, GTG co-chair and Regional Coordination Specialist from UN Women Regional Office for the Arab States.With a clear roadmap for 2025, the GTG is poised to strengthen its impact on gender equality, ensuring that the UN’s work in Bahrain remains inclusive, effective, and aligned with global standards.

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19 November 2025

UN Bahrain highlights renewed SDG momentum at Gulf University Sustainability Week 2025

The United Nations in Bahrain participated this week in the Second Edition of Sustainability Week (GUSW2025), organised by Gulf University from 16–20 November.In his opening remarks, Ahmed Ben Lassoued, Director of the United Nations Information Centre for the Gulf Countries (UNIC Manama), emphasised the urgent need to accelerate international efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He stated that, despite significant progress, the goals are not on track to be achieved five years before 2030. Ben Lassoued stressed the importance of reforming the international financial architecture, integrating climate action into development efforts, and harnessing technology, particularly artificial intelligence, to promote inclusion rather than exclusion. He also underscored the importance of resolving conflicts and promoting international peace and security. Dr Ayman Al-Hafnawi, Country Programme Manager and UN-Habitat Representative for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, participated in a dialogue session entitled "Supporting Global Efforts to Achieve the SDGs through Local Initiatives." Dr Al-Hafnawi emphasised the importance of unifying efforts at the Bahrain level to advance sustainable development. He pointed to the pivotal role of community initiatives, projects based on innovation and modern technologies, and strategic partnerships with the government, universities, and national institutions in promoting inclusive cities and building more sustainable communities. Dr. Amir Abubaker, Investment Promotion Expert with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), emphasized the importance of integrating innovation and sustainable entrepreneurship, noting that Bahrain is distinguished by its pioneering initiatives in this field. He stated that empowering the next generation with sustainability tools and technical knowledge is the most critical path toward creating a lower-carbon and more competitive economy.Throughout the week, attendees have engaged in workshops, competitions, and sustainability-driven activities aligned with the 17 SDGs, collaborating on solutions to address environmental, social, and economic challenges. The event highlights the essential role of universities in driving innovation, mobilising youth, and shaping future leaders committed to building a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive world.

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19 November 2025

‘Decisive battle’: Guterres calls for youth power in fight to phase out fossil fuels

By Felipe de Carvalho, in BelemOn Tuesday in Belém, ministers from Colombia, Germany, Kenya, the Marshall Islands, Sierra Leone, the United Kingdom and several other countries, voiced strong support for Brazil’s proposal to elevate the issue in this year’s round of UN climate negotiations.The coalition called on negotiators to reinforce language around the fossil fuel transition in the draft text, slated for approval on Wednesday. Their aim: to accelerate action and keep global warming within 1.5°C.Then a hush fell. The ministers listened as COP30 Youth Champion Marcele Oliveira stepped forward, carrying the urgency of an entire generation.“Fossil fuels are destroying dreams,” she warned, calling the shift away from them “the most important climate justice mobilization of this generation.”© UNFCCC/Zô GuimarãesCOP30 Youth Climate Champion, Marcele Oliveira, speaks at the UN Climate Change Conference taking place in Belém, Brazil.Protecting the futureSpeaking with UN News, Ms. Oliveira stressed that children and young people must be at the heart of every COP30 discussion.“We had a decision from the International Court of Justice stating that countries’ inaction on climate change constitutes an environmental crime. Therefore, we need to pressure countries to make better climate decisions, and this is also a priority,” she told us.“Of course, we need to move away from fossil fuels, invest in forest protection, and protect those who protect them. And of course, for young people, recognition of collective action at the local level, led by young people, is very important.”© UNFCCC/Kiara WorthGuterres: A ‘decisive battle’Later in the day, UN Secretary-General António Guterres met with youth delegates and offered an apology – one heavy with recognition. Past generations, he said, failed to contain the climate crisis. Scientific projections confirm temperatures will surpass the 1.5°C threshold.Now, he urged young people to stand with him in what he called the “decisive battle” to ensure that this overshoot is as short as possible.The transition from fossil fuels to renewables, he emphasized, is essential, and requires confronting powerful lobby groups that “put profits above the well-being of the international community and the planet.” Youth pressure, he said, is indispensable at COP30.‘We just want to be children!’Sixteen-year-old João Victor da Silva, from Brazil, told the UN chief: “We don’t want to be activists, we just want to be children and adolescents, but unfortunately adults are not making the right decisions.”From Aruba, Nigel Maduro shared a painful truth: the beaches where he learned to swim are disappearing. Negotiations, he warned, move slowly – perhaps too slowly for his island nation, which faces soaring temperatures and rising seas.Youth from several countries echoed the same plea: act now to secure a habitable future.The Secretary-General agreed that greater youth participation – especially from Indigenous communities – would lead to better outcomes. He acknowledged calls for more direct, less bureaucratic financing for Indigenous peoples and pledged to improve conditions to make that possible.© UNFCCC/Zô GuimarãesChildren make their voices heard at the UN Climate conference in Belém, Brazil.‘Protests are a defining feature of COP30’Indigenous leader Txai Suruí described the youth meeting as one of the most hopeful moments of COP30. But she warned that the Amazon is dangerously close to a tipping point that could push the forest toward desertification.“The protests are a distinguishing feature of this COP, because [though] some countries may not like them, but Brazil is a democratic country, and the protests also serve to ensure that these leaders actually make decisions in favor of life.”Ms. Txai noted that corporate lobbying remains larger than all delegations combined – and certainly larger than Indigenous representation – creating an imbalance of voices. Yet she sees growing recognition of Indigenous communities as guardians of nature. A ‘just transition’Meanwhile, for Ms. Oliveira, the transition away from fossil fuels must be just—an approach that “listens to, welcomes, and hears the territories.” Measures such as demarcating Indigenous lands, she said, are essential to ensure this shift does not further harm populations already affected.

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16 November 2025

Security Council lays the ground in the race for the next Secretary-General

Governments will soon submit letters nominating candidates to lead the 80-year-old organization, whose top post is traditionally rotated among geographical regions – although all UN chiefs to date have been men.The Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly, the UN’s most representative body, following a recommendation from the Council’s 15 members.A ‘significant’ responsibility“As the year draws to a close, the Council approaches one of its most significant responsibilities, namely the process of selection of the next Secretary-General,” said Danish Ambassador Christina Markus Lassen, co-chair of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions.“In the coming months, the Council will be discussing how it votes, how it engages with candidates, how it informs the wider membership of its progress and its outcomes.” Russia held the rotating Council presidency in October and Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya said the country “promptly started work for agreement to be reached” on the joint invitation letter with the General Assembly inviting countries to submit their candidates.“We trust that the document will be adopted in short time to formally start this important process,” he said.“We trust that the efforts of the Security Council will help to facilitate the selection of the worthiest candidate for the future head of the Secretariat.”A woman leaderThe next UN Secretary-General will serve a five-year term starting in January 2027, after current chief António Guterres of Portugal leaves office. As no woman has ever held the post, Chile’s representative spoke up for “an open, participatory and gender-inclusive process.” “After 80 years, the time has come for a woman to lead this organization; a woman who, with her leadership and vision, can provide the multilateral system with the credibility that it needs to respond to the challenges of our time,” he said.“The principle of regional rotation should be respected as well, and it is the turn of the region of Latin America and the Caribbean to lead this post,” he added.UN Photo/Loey FelipeLoraine Sievers, former Chief of the UN Security Council Secretariat Branch, briefs the Security Council meeting on working methods of the Security Council.Productive meetings matterMore than 40 countries participated in the debate on the Council’s working methods, known as Note 507, adopted last December.How meetings are conducted has become increasingly important over the past year, given the urgent crises on its agenda, said Loraine Sievers, former chief of the office that supports the daily work of the council. “Of course, people focus primarily on the statements made here and the voting on draft resolutions,” she said.“But even when Council members and non-member participants demonstrate starkly differing positions, the Security Council and the UN itself can gain credibility or lose credibility depending on how orderly and professionally Council meetings are conducted.”

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05 November 2025

United Nations in Bahrain launches a Photo Exhibition Marking 80 Years of Global Solidarity

The United Nations in Bahrain officially launched on Tuesday the UN@80 Photo Exhibition, “Shared Lives, Shared Future”, at Seef Mall’s Colours of the East Gallery, in the presence of government officials, diplomats, artists, and friends of the United Nations, reflecting Bahrain’s longstanding commitment to multilateral cooperation and sustainable development. The exhibition showcases stories from around the world, highlighting the many ways in which the world’s most crucial international organisation impacts our daily lives, including by supporting peace and security, overseeing regulatory frameworks, providing humanitarian assistance, promoting development, facilitating international conventions on trade, and advocating for human rights.“The exhibition we launch tonight tells a remarkable story—a story that began 80 years ago, a story of ambition and resolve, of cooperation and results. The people in these images remind us that multilateralism makes our world a better place. Only together can we continue building our shared future,” said Ahmed Ben Lassoued, Director of the United Nations Information Centre in Manama and Acting United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Kingdom of Bahrain.The exhibition in Bahrain showcases a selection of 31 photographs, and it continues until November 15. Other images can be seen online at the virtual exhibition: https://www.un.org/en/exhibits/exhibit/un80 The initiative is part of a global exhibition that takes place as part of the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and is organised globally by the UN Department of Global Communications, including the 59 United Nations Information Centres (UNICs), with support from Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland.

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30 October 2025

United Nations Day marked with Celebration of Youth, Peace, and Global Solidarity

The United Nations Country Team in Bahrain hosted a commemorative event on Tuesday to mark United Nations Day and the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, bringing together government officials, the diplomatic corps, youth leaders, private-sector and civil-society representatives in a vibrant evening of reflection and recognition.
The event highlighted the United Nations’s global legacy and its local partnerships in Bahrain, with a programme that blended art, storytelling, and youth engagement. UN Resident Coordinator Highlights Bahrain’s Role in MultilateralismIn his keynote address, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bahrain, Khaled El Mekwad, emphasised the United Nations' enduring mission to promote peace, human rights, and sustainable development.
“The United Nations will remain committed to achieving a more just and resilient world”, said Mr El Mekwad, highlighting key initiatives such as the Pact for the Future and the UN 80 initiative in reinvigorating the global organisation and multilateralism. The Resident Coordinator also acknowledged Bahrain’s growing leadership on the global stage, including its role in establishing the International Day for Peaceful Coexistence, to be observed annually in January and the Kingdom’s election to the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member for the 2026–2027 term.“Let us reaffirm our commitment to the values of the UN Charter—peace, justice, human rights, and sustainable development,” he said. “Only together, we are the United Nations.”
El Mekwad also highlighted the UN-Bahrain Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2025–2029), signed last December, as a milestone in the partnership between the UN and the Kingdom. The framework aligns with Bahrain’s national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on inclusivity, resilience, and economic diversity.
Programme Highlights: Art, Short Film, and Youth RecognitionThe evening featured a video message from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who reflected on the UN’s journey over eight decades and called for renewed global solidarity in the face of modern challenges such as climate change, inequality, and artificial intelligence.Guests were treated to a short film by award-winning filmmakers Sylvia M. Zakari and Sing J. Lee, which creatively brought to life the story of the United Nations and its impact across generations.
A key attraction was the launch of the UN@80 Photo Exhibition: “Shared Lives, Shared Future”, showcasing 29 human stories from different countries. The exhibition, facilitated globally by the UN Department of Global Communications with contributions from Italy, Slovenia, and Switzerland, features over 200 human stories from 193 countries. The exhibition illustrates how the UN has touched lives in meaningful and sometimes unexpected ways. Honoring Bahrain’s YouthThe event also recognised the contributions of young Bahrainis to various UN-supported programmes implemented in partnership with national institutions. Among these was a youth-focused initiative hosted this week by the Bahrain Science Center for the SDGs, which featured workshops and activities promoting innovation and sustainability.
The Resident Coordinator thanked the Ministry of Youth Affairs and the Bahrain Science Center for their support in organising youth-led events as part of the UN’s 80th anniversary celebrations.

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Press Release

24 October 2025

Press Statement by the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Khaled El Mekwad, on United Nations Day

Manama- 24 October 2025- Today, as we mark the 80th anniversary of the entry into force of the United Nations Charter, we seize this opportunity to reflect on the Charter’s enduring vision of peace, dignity, and cooperation and on how the United Nations has worked to uphold its principles and values.For Eight decades, the UN has worked continuously towards responding to mounting global challenges—from climate change and persistent inequality to geopolitical tensions and financial constraints- with renewed purpose. Most recently, initiatives like the Pact for the Future and the UN80 aim to revitalize multilateralism and ensure the UN remains fit for purpose in the 21st century.In Bahrain, United Nations Day serves as an opportunity to celebrate the deepening partnership with the Kingdom. The UN-Bahrain Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2025–2029), signed last December, charts a shared path toward inclusive and resilient development. UN- Bahrain’s partnership is also highlighted by Bahrain’s growing role in promoting peace, including the Kingdom’s key role in supporting the establishment of the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence and Bahrain’s recent election to the UN Security Council for 2026–2027.The United Nations in Bahrain remains committed to continuing its support to the Kingdom in fostering global peace and security and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.As we look to the future, let us continue working together—Governments, civil society, the private sector, and the UN—to build a more peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable future for all.Only together, we are the United Nations.

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Press Release

02 October 2025

New alliance leveraging Islamic and Arab finance for economic transformation

Vienna, 17 June 2025 – Today, UNIDO, the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI), the Union of Arab Banks (UAB), and the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) formalized new strategic partnerships under the Islamic and Arab Finance for Economic Transformation in Africa, the Arab Region and Beyond (IFETAA) Programme.Access to finance remains one of the most significant barriers to SME growth and economic transformation, particularly in Africa, the Middle East and South Asia. Only one in five African firms has access to credit, and those that do often face prohibitively high interest rates averaging 25 percent, compared to just 5 percent in Europe. Islamic finance, with over US$4 trillion in assets, offers a largely untapped opportunity to address this gap by directing capital stored in monetary markets into the real economy.IFETAA represents a new alliance that will drive capital and capacity towards MSME development, resilience and growth across low- and lower middle-income countries. The signing of three partnership agreements took place ahead of a high-level roundtable at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, held on the margins of the OPEC Fund Development Forum, and marked the formalization of the programme. “As traditional development funding continues to decline, Islamic and Arab financial institutions are emerging as key partners in driving industrialization and sustainable development”, said UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller. “Through this programme, we are building a powerful new alliance to support small and medium-sized businesses, increase productivity and resilience, and accelerate economic transformation in developing countries”.H.E. Shaikh Ebrahim Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Chairman of AAOIFI and the International Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation announced that “AAOIFI is proud to contribute to this transformative partnership, which aligns Islamic finance with global development priorities and encourages Islamic financial institutions to voluntarily dedicate at least 20% of their financing – over US$1 trillion – to MSME development. We will work on developing a Shariah-compliant finance programme enriched with technical assistance, regulatory support, and capacity building. IFETAA will also leverage UNIDO’s globally recognized Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion model (EDIP)”.“The IFETAA Programme will unlock urgently needed capital for Africa’s economic transformation and AFC is proud to bring its unique expertise in both conventional and Islamic finance to mobilise funding at scale,” said Banji Fehintola, Board Member and Head of Financial Services at AFC. “As an issuer, guarantor, and investor, we are committed to delivering innovative, Shariah-compliant solutions that drive inclusive and resilient economic growth, whilst contributing to strengthening the south-south cooperation required to advance our shared development goals”.By integrating Islamic finance with proven entrepreneurship and business counseling interventions, IFETAA will empower MSMEs to become bankable, resilient, and key drivers of inclusive economic growth.Wissam Fattouh, Secretary General of the Union of Arab Banks, stated: “IFETAA is more than a programme – it is a call to action. The Union of Arab Banks is proud to unite Islamic and Arab financial power to serve sustainable development and economic sovereignty. We are mobilizing capital not just to fund growth, but to shape the future of our region. This is about empowering MSMEs, restoring trust in financial systems, and building resilient, inclusive economies”.Director General Müller with Shaikh Ebrahim Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial InstitutionsDirector General Müller with Banji Fehintola, Executive Director of Financial Services of Africa Finance CorporationDirector General Müller with Anwar Sayah, Financial and Administrative Director of the Union of Arab BanksUNIDO has made available US$500,000 to support the preparation of the IFETAA programme and its initial implementation, which is co-led by the UNIDO Task Force on Islamic and Arab Financing and UNIDO’s Investment and Technology Promotion Office in Bahrain.Each of the partner institutions brings unique strengths to the programme. AAOIFI, headquartered in Bahrain, is the world’s leading standard-setting body for Islamic finance and plays a critical role in ensuring Shariah compliance and supporting regulators and financial institutions globally. Beirut-based UAB represents over 300 Arab banks and financial institutions while serving as a regional platform for aligning Arab banking practices with global trends, including Islamic finance, ESG, and digital transformation. AFC is a pan-African multilateral financial institution specializing in infrastructure development. It has been expanding its use of Islamic finance instruments, recently closing a US$400 million Shariah-compliant Commodity Murabaha facility. AFC made history in 2017 by issuing a US$230 million Sukuk, the first-ever by an African supranational institution.

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Press Release

28 August 2025

The United Nations in Bahrain Releases its 2024 Annual Report

The report emphasises the collective achievements of the United Nations in Bahrain across key development areas. Main highlights include strengthened policy support for climate resilience, sustainable and healthy cities, and an inclusive green transition. Additionally, there has been enhanced youth engagement through education and innovation programs, expanded initiatives promoting women’s leadership and economic participation, as well as accelerated digital solutions for public service delivery and governance. “Through strategic partnerships with the Government of Bahrain, civil society, and the private sector, the UNCT has delivered results that reflect the country’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive development,” said United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bahrain, Khaled El Mekwad. “This report is more than a reflection of our joint work with the Government of Bahrain—it’s a testament to what can be achieved when we unite around shared goals, and it demonstrates how the UN system continues to support Bahrain’s Vision 2030 and its national development priorities,” El Mekwad said.As the closing year of a five-year Cooperation Framework cycle, 2024 was also a year of transition and looking forward, marked by the consolidation of achievements, high-level multilateral engagement between the United Nations and Bahrain, as well as multistakeholder consultations leading up to the signing, on 23 December 2024, of a new Cooperation Framework for Bahrain for 2025-2029.

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