Launch of the "Buthoor Al Bahrain" campaign

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) in Bahrain and the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture launched a national campaign on 1 October to raise awareness of the importance of nature and trees and create green and sustainable spaces across the Kingdom.

Named "Buthoor Al Bahrain" (Seeds of Bahrain in Arabic), the campaign encourages citizens and residents alike to use the interactive online platform to suggest new tree-planting locations in their neighbourhoods and communities. The technical team will evaluate these proposed sites and direct the tree distribution efforts nationwide.

The "Buthoor Van," a mobile seed truck, will distribute trees, raise awareness, and interact directly with residents in Bahrain's streets and neighborhoods, allowing individuals to participate in transforming and improving their communities.

"Support for sustainable urban planning has been a priority for the United Nations in Bahrain. The 'Buthoor Al Bahrain' campaign represents one of the many collaborative efforts between the United Nations and the Government to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including building a sustainable future and preserving the urban environment for generations to come," said the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bahrain, Khaled El Mekwad, expressing the hope that the campaign contributes to raising community awareness of the importance of green spaces.

"Buthoor Al Bahrain complements the ambitious National Afforestation Plan that aims to double the number of trees by 2035 and build sustainable and greener cities and communities in the Kingdom," said Fernanda Lonardoni, Head of UN-Habitat Bahrain.

"Trees and green spaces provide many benefits, such as shading, cooling, reducing temperatures, promoting mental health, preserving biodiversity and more. By promoting a sustainable and green future for Bahrain's regions, the campaign will help create a balanced and healthy urban environment that enriches the lives of residents and local ecosystems, which is one of UN-Habitat's program priorities, while continuing to plant the seeds of change and support Government's efforts towards achieving the SDGs," she said. 

The campaign is an integral part of the "Building Green and Sustainable Cities" project, executed by UN-Habitat, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture. This project aims to facilitate a transition towards more sustainable and climate-resilient urban environments while enhancing environmental quality through improving green spaces across the Kingdom in alignment with the National Afforestation Plan.