Resident Coordinator Speech for the Official Launch of the Global Entrepreneurs Alliance and UNIDO Global Call 2025

HE Sheikh Ebrahim bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the International Centre for Entrepreneurship & Innovation 

HE Ms. Fatou Haidara, UNIDO Deputy Director General & Managing Director of the Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations

Excellencies, Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I am pleased to join you today for the launch of two significant initiatives spearheaded by UNIDO ITPO Bahrain: “The Global Entrepreneurs Alliance and the Global Call on the Creative Orange Economy”.

The launch of these two critical initiatives is a new milestone in the long-standing, multifaceted partnership between the United Nations and the Kingdom of Bahrain, which was recently highlighted by the signing of the new Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for the period 2025-2029.

The new Cooperation Framework's goals are clear: the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and complementing progress towards Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030.   Furthermore, one of our key priorities will be fostering prosperity through sustainable economic transformation.

Within this background, the United Nations and the Government of Bahrain have jointly identified several development solutions, which are pivotal in envisioning a prosperous and equitable future, including strengthening investments in the orange economy, aiming to promote cultural and creative industries having the potential to drive economic diversification and modernization. 

The orange economy is indeed a vibrant and fast-growing sector, contributing 3.1% to the global GDP, generating over 2 trillion USD in annual revenues, and providing nearly 50 million jobs worldwide. Recognizing such potential, several UN agencies have initiated programs and launched initiatives to further promote and harness this sector.

In Bahrain, the Cooperation Framework's implementing mechanisms will focus on sustainable practices, including the orange economy, in alignment with international standards, and diversification strategies.

The United Nations in Bahrain will support these endeavors by offering evidence-based policy advice, technical assistance and capacity building, in addition to aligning its support with Bahrain's national development priorities. 

On the other hand, the Global Entrepreneurs Alliance (GEA) will help accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by promoting global innovation and entrepreneurship, thereby fostering economic growth and technological advancement.

The Alliance is a clear acknowledgment of the significant achievements of the Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion Program “EDIP”, known as the Bahrain – Arab Model, being a forward-looking initiative, championed by UNIDO Bahrain through a strategic partnership with a wide range of stakeholders in the Kingdom. 

In this regard, and on a personal note, I would like to share that I supported EDIP introduction in Lebanon 17 years ago in 2008, in my capacity as UNIDO Representative in Lebanon at the time. Both UNIDO offices in Beirut and Manama worked together in successfully implementing EDIP Lebanon, where my dear colleague Dr. Hashim Hussain and I collaborated hand in hand. Lebanon was the 4th country adopting EDIP at the time (after Bahrain, Jordan & Iraq), and now I am pleased to see that EDIP is currently implemented in 56 countries worldwide.

On the UN level in Bahrain, the Global Entrepreneurs Alliance echoes the outcomes of the stakeholder consultations which led to formulation of the newly signed Cooperation Framework, including calls for the United Nations to facilitate knowledge exchange and capacity building, especially in digital transformation and sustainable business practices. 

The United Nations Country Team in the Kingdom of Bahrain will continue working with partners & stakeholders to amplify these two initiatives to help creating a sustainable and inclusive future for everyone in Bahrain, where no one is left behind.

Thank you.