HLPF 2023: Bahrain presents its second Voluntary National Report

Bahrain submitted on Tuesday its second Voluntary National Review (VNR) report at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development held at the UN headquarters in New York.

The report provides a comprehensive review of the Kingdom’s progress in implementing the 2030 Agenda since the submission of the first VNR in 2018, highlighting the successes, challenges, and opportunities encountered in implementing the SDGs.

According to Bahrain News Agency, Minister of Sustainable Development H.E. Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif indicated that the Kingdom’s approach is anchored on the principle of "Leaving No-one Behind," which was visible in the inclusiveness and efficiency of the how Government of Bahrain and its institutions managed the COVID-19 pandemic and its implications, as reflected in a World Health Organisation (WHO) case study.

The Minister stressed the commitment of the Government of Bahrain to accelerate the pace of adoption and integration of the 2030 Agenda in its different development projects and policies through the launch of the Economic Recovery Plan, the commitment to achieving net carbon emissions, alongside the significant alignment of the Government Plan (2023-2026) with these objectives.

Congratulating Bahrain’s on the submission of its second VNR, the UN Resident Coordinator in Bahrain, Khaled El Mekwad, noted on his Twitter account that the report was the result of an inclusive, successful national consultative process. “The UNCT has been a key partner of Bahrain in its journey towards sustainable development, especially in the face of COVID-19. We remain committed to continue supporting the Kingdom in achieving Agenda 2030”, Mr El Mekwad tweeted.

The high-level Bahraini delegation at the HLPF also included the Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, Amna bint Ahmed Al Romaihi and Undersecretary for Political Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa.

The HLPF serves as a central platform for monitoring and reviewing the implementation of the SDGs, which were adopted by all UN Member States in 2015. These goals encompass a wide range of objectives, including eradicating poverty, promoting gender equality, ensuring access to quality education and healthcare, and protecting the environment.

Focused on the Sustainable and Resilient Recovery theme from the COVID-19 Pandemic, this year's HLPF recognized the unprecedented challenges posed by the global health crisis.

Throughout the HLPF, participants engaged in over 200 high-level panel discussions, interactive dialogues, and Voluntary National |Reviews. In addition to Bahrain, 38 countries provided data on their progress towards achieving the SDGs – one of the key components of the development agenda.

One of the important takeaways from the HLPF was the recognition that achieving the SDGs requires a collective effort involving governments, civil society, businesses, and individuals.