Speech

Remarks by the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bahrain, Mr. Khaled El Mekwad, at the event to mark United Nations Day

30 October 2024

30 October 2024

Ladies & Gentlemen,
Honorable Ministers
Esteemed Representatives of the Government of Bahrain and partners of the UN
Excellencies, colleagues & friends

It is my great pleasure to welcome you tonight on United Nations Day.
On behalf of the United Nations Country Team in Bahrain, I would like to thank you all for joining us in marking the 79th anniversary of the United Nations' founding.
As you have just heard from our Secretary-General, “The United Nations was built by the world, for the world.”
In today’s turbulent times, the United Nations plays a stabilizing role in a world increasingly facing geopolitical divisions, endless wars and conflicts, a climate crisis, protracted humanitarian catastrophes, as well as the dark shadow of nuclear weapons.
More closely on the regional level, and amid the endless horrific events unfolding in the Middle East, the United Nations continues to deliver humanitarian assistance at all odds, tirelessly reminding all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law & calling for ceasefire.
UNRWA remains to be the backbone of the humanitarian operations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including Gaza. No other entity can deliver assistance at the scale and breadth that the Palestinian Refugees urgently need.
Over two hundred thirty UN staff, the vast majority serving with UNRWA in Gaza, have been killed, often alongside their families.
In total, at least 320 humanitarian workers have been taken from us in this conflict, each one a life dedicated to helping others, now lost in the devastation.
In Lebanon, despite attacks hitting UN positions and injuring several personnel, UNIFIL peacekeepers remain in all positions. UNIFIL personnel and its premises must be respected and protected.
Tonight, we think of the tens of thousands of civilians killed, wounded, taken hostage or caught in these conflicts.

Dear Guests,

At the recent Summit of the Future, world leaders set out a clear vision of a revamped multilateral system, with the United Nations at its centre, that can deliver on its promises and is more representative of today’s world.

The Pact for the Future covers a broad range of themes, including peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, digital cooperation, human rights, gender, youth and future generations, and the transformation of global governance.

The Global Digital Compact, annexed to the Pact, is the first comprehensive global framework for digital cooperation. It explicitly includes human rights and concrete commitments to accelerate progress on the 2030 Agenda.
Leaders also agreed on the first-ever Declaration on Future Generations, putting in place steps to systematically consider the future impact, consciously avoiding foreseeable harm to and safeguarding the interests of future generations.

Excellencies,
Distinguished guests,

Bahrain deeply shares the values the United Nations upholds—peace, tolerance, and cooperation—as shown by the remarkable development in our longstanding partnership.

At the multilateral level, this has been reflected by Bahrain's participation at the highest level in UN events, including His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's participation in the opening of COP-28 hosted by the UAE in late 2023 and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, 's participation in the 79th UN General Assembly last September.

On the other hand, the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres’ visit to Bahrain last May, to participate in the Arab Summit hosted by the Kingdom in the exceptional circumstances in the region, represented another facet of the close cooperation and distinguished relations between the two sides, especially in addressing regional and international peace and security issues, as well as sustainable development issues.

The Kingdom of Bahrain also supports international efforts led by the UN to end conflicts, establish peace, and provide humanitarian assistance, including support to UNRWA in assisting Palestinian refugees.

This was translated through the Bahraini Royal Humanitarian Foundation, which recently donated $3 million to UNRWA to build a new health center in the Jalazone refugee camp in the West Bank, which will serve approximately 15,000 Palestinian refugee patients.

Additionally, the Royal Humanitarian Foundation provided UNHCR, with a $5.1 million contribution since 2022 to support refugees and internally displaced persons in Asia and Europe.

Distinguished guests,

Bahrain is keen to host global UN events, most recently the fifth edition of the World Entrepreneurship and Investment Forum in May and the Digital Skills Forum in September.

The United Nations Country Team is proud to have contributed to facilitating such a high level of engagement, including the outcomes contributing to the Sustainable Development Agenda showcased on these occasions.

During the past period, we have been building on these results and commitments when preparing for the New Strategic Cooperation Framework, which will guide our work in Bahrain for the years 2025-2029 to help the Kingdom achieve the SDGs and progress on the human rights agenda, including gender equality and women's empowerment.

The process was marked by an inclusive consultative process with Government partners, the Private Sector, and, for the first time, Civil society representatives, including youth groups, women, workers, trade unions and people with vulnerabilities.

The New Strategic Cooperation offers a coherent and coordinated strategy to advance the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development while directly supporting the goals of Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030.
We look forward to signing the New Cooperation Framework at the earliest.

Distinguished guests,

When entering the venue, you would have had a quick overview of some of the initiatives undertaken recently by the UN Country Team in Bahrain.

None of our results could have been achieved or will be in the Future without the crucial support of our Bahraini partners, and I would like to extend my gratitude to all of them.

On a logistical note, I wish to assure you that this is a zero-waste event. We have partnered with a local charity organisation to ensure that no food is wasted.

There will be a side event, Jalsat Chabeb, where Bahraini Youth will discuss future skills and sustainable development.
Also, please feel free to take with you a tree to plant in your neighbourhood.

Finally, I would like to thank the United Nations Country Team and every colleague in the UN family in Bahrain. We are all proud of the results we have achieved together.

Let us continue working together to help shape an even better, more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous Bahrain.

Thank you for your presence and your commitment to our shared goals.