Gudaibia Palace: His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has expressed full support to the efforts of the International Community and its various agencies to build nations and achieve sustainable development.
“Just as we succeeded in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), we are resolved to achieve the post 2015 sustainable development agenda,” he said.
He called for the need to support sustainable development across the Arab World through providing a positive atmosphere of security and stability that consolidates the countries’ gains, and enhances their ability to meet the aspirations of their peoples for a more advanced and prosperous life at all levels.
HRH Premier voiced the stances as he received at the Gudaibiya Palace a number of ministers, senior officials from the UN and its affiliate agencies, who are participating in the second Arab High-Level Forum on Sustainable Development, currently hosted by the kingdom under his patronage.
HRH the Prime Minister underlined the importance of strengthening the pillars of international cooperation in the fields of sustainable development, as the best means to achieve the well-being and decent living standards for people, and ensure a more secure and stable future for humanity.
He emphasised that the challenges and threats the Arab Nation is currently facing should by no means impede its efforts to achieve sustainable development.
Such a situation should motivate Arab countries to look for unconventional ideas on ways to ensure a better future that fulfills the aspirations of their peoples and the coming generations regarding development, security, stability and peace, he said.
He reiterated Bahrain’s unwavering support to sustainable development efforts out of its commitment to ensuring the good and progress of the Arab and Islamic nations, as well as the whole world.
“We are ready to join hands with countries and international organisations which are interested in development issues for the sake of a better future for our peoples and coming generations. He wished well-being for the Bahraini people, as well as other Arab peoples,” he said.
HRH the Prime Minister lauded the Arab High-Level Forum on Sustainable Development, noting that it represents Arab countries’ commitment to supporting a more effective regional and international partnership to achieve sustainable development, given its importance in fostering global security and peace.
He affirmed that the current situation the Arab countries are going through requires continuous consultation and coordination among them, calling for the need to focus on development issues within a collective and organised framework through which security and stability are safeguarded, and living conditions of Arab citizens are upgraded.
HRH Premier expressed pride in the kingdom’s success in achieving most MDGs, expressing hope that Bahrain’s pioneering experience will inspire Arab efforts aiming to achieve the remaining MDGs.
HRH the Prime Minister affirmed that Bahrain allocated special importance to sustainable development issues within the government’s plans and programmes, and is a strong supporter of international partnership initiatives in order to achieve sustainable development for all peoples and ensure them the requirements of decent living.
Those present expressed deep appreciation and gratitude to HRH Premier for his landmark contributions and imprints in supporting sustainable development activities and programmes.
They affirmed that HRH Premier’s patronage of the Arab High-Level Forum on Sustainable Development reflects the interest of the Government of Bahrain in sustainable development, noting that Bahrain has always been a leader in supporting such initiatives in the Arab World, in particular, and the world, in general.
They also noted that the Government of Bahrain’s interest in the forum reflects its high awareness of the extent of challenges facing the region.