Friday, April 02, 2010
Bahrain set to host UN forum
WORLD leaders will converge in Bahrain to take part in a top United Nations forum.
No date has yet been set for the sixth World Urban Forum, which will be attended by more than 10,000 decision-makers, experts and journalists.
It is, however, expected to be held in March or April 2012, said the Foreign Ministry's International Affairs Under-Secretary Karim Al Shaker.
"This will be the first international UN event in the Arab world."
Mr Al Shaker was speaking on the sidelines of a meeting of UN resident and non-resident agencies in the region, at Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence and Spa.
"This is one of the most important UN events held every two years," he said.
"Bahrain being the host of the event was proposed at the fifth forum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, last month."
He said the UN Human Habitat Programme and participating countries approved the invitation in recognition of Bahrain's support for the programme.
The Cabinet recently discussed plans to hold the event, saying the decision would promote Bahrain's image and be a catalyst for individual and collective human development initiatives across the world.
The one-day meeting yesterday aimed at reviewing the programmes and projects implemented by the UN agencies in co-ordination with Bahrain.
"Bahrain appreciates the role of all these agencies and their efforts to fulfil the objectives, targets and purposes of various plans and projects in support of its national priorities," Mr Al Shaker said.
"We also appreciate the scope of our co-operation with the UN, which today covers a wide and growing range of fields.
"These include social, political and economic issues as well as co-operation on educational and youth issues, human rights and advancement of women."
He said Bahrain attached great importance to its partnership with the UN and its various agencies, including the UN Development Programme.
He said the goal was to fulfil its national, international and moral obligations to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and enable it to maximise the potential of the country and its people.
"I am delighted with the progress made by UN agencies in the region.
"Bahrain, in partnership with them, has achieved many of MDGs and is aspiring to become a model of sustainable human development.
"We also appreciate the fact that our co-operation is very much a two-way street, and the engagement of both public and private sectors with the UN and its agencies is a testament to the value all Bahrainis place on our co-operation."
He also praised UN resident co-ordinator Sayed Aqa's role, saying his contribution was a vital component in the success of their co-operation.
WORLD leaders will converge in Bahrain to take part in a top United Nations forum.
No date has yet been set for the sixth World Urban Forum, which will be attended by more than 10,000 decision-makers, experts and journalists.
It is, however, expected to be held in March or April 2012, said the Foreign Ministry's International Affairs Under-Secretary Karim Al Shaker.
"This will be the first international UN event in the Arab world."
Mr Al Shaker was speaking on the sidelines of a meeting of UN resident and non-resident agencies in the region, at Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence and Spa.
"This is one of the most important UN events held every two years," he said.
"Bahrain being the host of the event was proposed at the fifth forum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, last month."
He said the UN Human Habitat Programme and participating countries approved the invitation in recognition of Bahrain's support for the programme.
The Cabinet recently discussed plans to hold the event, saying the decision would promote Bahrain's image and be a catalyst for individual and collective human development initiatives across the world.
The one-day meeting yesterday aimed at reviewing the programmes and projects implemented by the UN agencies in co-ordination with Bahrain.
"Bahrain appreciates the role of all these agencies and their efforts to fulfil the objectives, targets and purposes of various plans and projects in support of its national priorities," Mr Al Shaker said.
"We also appreciate the scope of our co-operation with the UN, which today covers a wide and growing range of fields.
"These include social, political and economic issues as well as co-operation on educational and youth issues, human rights and advancement of women."
He said Bahrain attached great importance to its partnership with the UN and its various agencies, including the UN Development Programme.
He said the goal was to fulfil its national, international and moral obligations to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and enable it to maximise the potential of the country and its people.
"I am delighted with the progress made by UN agencies in the region.
"Bahrain, in partnership with them, has achieved many of MDGs and is aspiring to become a model of sustainable human development.
"We also appreciate the fact that our co-operation is very much a two-way street, and the engagement of both public and private sectors with the UN and its agencies is a testament to the value all Bahrainis place on our co-operation."
He also praised UN resident co-ordinator Sayed Aqa's role, saying his contribution was a vital component in the success of their co-operation.
