Amna bint Ahmed Al Rumaihi, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, participated in the official opening of the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), held in Azerbaijan.
The forum was inaugurated in the presence of His Excellency Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and brought together more than 28,000 participants from 172 countries, alongside representatives of numerous international and local organisations.
Minister Al Rumaihi said Bahrain’s participation in the global forum represents an important opportunity to showcase the achievements realised under the comprehensive development process led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
She noted that the forum serves as a strategic platform for exchanging expertise and formulating innovative solutions to global housing challenges, in line with Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 and the Government Programme.
The minister added that the current edition of the forum carries exceptional significance as the leading international platform for shaping the future of cities through aligning housing policies with the objectives of the New Urban Agenda. She highlighted that the forum’s theme directly aligns with Bahrain’s priorities in building sustainable urban communities capable of responding to global changes.
As part of the forum activities, the Kingdom of Bahrain pavilion was inaugurated and attracted the attention of international delegations. The Muharraq City Development Project featured prominently as a model combining modern urban development with the preservation of cultural identity and heritage.
Minister Al Rumaihi said the pavilion also highlights the digitalisation of services through the "Baity" real estate platform, in addition to showcasing the expansion of the Government Land Development Rights Programme, which has become a key pillar in providing social housing in partnership with real estate developers.
She added that the gathering, which brings together leading thinkers and decision-makers, provides an ideal environment for exchanging innovative practices.
Abdullah Taleb, General Manager of Eskan Bank, said the forum and its accompanying events provide valuable opportunities to review the latest financing solutions aimed at providing suitable housing for citizens in the Kingdom.
He noted that Eskan Bank continues to develop innovative financing initiatives and solutions that support Bahrain’s housing sector, with a focus on enhancing digital services and developing accessible financing options that meet citizens’ aspirations and ensure the sustainability of housing projects in partnership with the private sector.
The pavilion also showcases the efforts of the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs & Agriculture in developing green cities in cooperation with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).