UN Bahrain marks UN Day 2024

“In today’s turbulent times, the United Nations plays a stabilising 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,” United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bahrain, Khaled El Mekwad, told participants in an event organised on 30 October by the United Nations Country Team in Bahrain to mark United Nations Day.

El Mekwad underscored the pivotal role of the United Nations, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, in the midst of ongoing regional conflicts.

Summit of the Future

“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,” El Mekwad said. 

The 'Pact for the Future', a comprehensive document adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 22 September, encompasses a wide array 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.

It includes a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations. 

An enduring partnership with Bahrain

El Mekwad highlighted Bahrain's deep alignment with the values the United Nations upholds—peace, tolerance, and cooperation—evidenced by the remarkable development in their longstanding partnership.

He mentioned His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's participation in the opening of COP-28 hosted by the UAE in late 2023, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister's participation in the 79th UN General Assembly last September, and the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres’ visit to Bahrain last May to participate in the Arab Summit hosted by the Kingdom.

“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,” El Mekwad said.

Towards A New Cooperation Framework

The United Nations Country Team in Bahrain is finalizing the New Cooperation Framework with the Government of Bahrain, which will guide the United Nations’ work in Bahrain from 2025 to 2029.

The framework will 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, “El Mekwad said. 

“We look forward to signing the New Cooperation Framework at the earliest”

For his part, Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Undersecretary for Political Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, underscored Bahrain’s commitment to advancing strategic cooperation with the United Nations to strengthen the principles of peace, justice, human dignity, pluralism and multilateralism. 

He emphasised the importance of these values, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and supported by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, which aim to foster a safer, more sustainable, and prosperous world.

Dr Saikh Abdulla expressed pride in Bahrain’s partnership with the UN, highlighting the positive outcomes achieved under the Strategic Cooperation and Sustainable Development Framework (2021-2024) signed with 21 UN agencies.

He noted Bahrain’s aspirations to extend this framework for another five years, solidifying its standing in international indicators for human development, e-government, women’s empowerment, youth, healthcare, and education.

Members and officials of the Government of Bahrain, the Diplomatic Corps and United Nations partners attended the event, which featured some of the initiatives undertaken recently by the UN Country Team in Bahrain.

“Let us continue working together to help shape an even better, more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous Bahrain,” El Mekwad said.