×

HRH Premier calls for adopting economic programmes that support countries’ efforts to achieve SDGs

SDGs Bahrain News
HRH Premier calls for adopting economic programmes that support countries’ efforts to achieve SDGs
03/10/2020
His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has called on the International Community to adopt easy and relaxed economic stimulus programmes to support COVID-19-affected countries in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
 
HRH Premier stressed that the new reality that the world is experiencing in light of the novel coronavirus pandemic must be a catalyst for re-prioritising international cooperation, and focusing more on areas of development that can accelerate the recovery of economies, achieve common benefits for peoples and ensure stability and security in their comprehensive sense.
 
The Prime Minister stressed that the COVID-19 pandemic had proved that strong housing, health and education infrastructures are the cornerstone of strengthening the capability of countries to face various challenges.
 
Obtaining adequate housing is among the main prerequisites for achieving security and stability of societies, as well as contributing to cementing the foundations of human peace and development, HRH Premier also said in a message to the world marking the World Habitat Day 2020, observed worldwide every October 5, and themed “Housing For All: A better Urban Future”.
 
The Prime Minister affirmed that the Kingdom of Bahrain, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, has been able to face the current challenges thanks to the solid infrastructure that it has accomplished over years on various fields, adding that this development policy is still continuing under the directives of HM the King at an accelerated pace at various projects of housing, urbanisation, and healthcare, etc.
 
HRH the Prime Minister stressed that in order to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, foremost among which is the 11th goal aimed to “make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”, the International Community needs to be more prepared to assess the risks arising from the continuation of the current situation.
 
“More than a half of the world's population lives in urban areas, and the number is expected to reach 6.5 billion individuals by 2050, which represents about two thirds of human population, according to United Nations Development Programme estimates,” the Premier noted.
 
HRH the Prime Minister affirmed that the celebration of World Habitat Day is an occasion to emphasise the importance of concerted efforts to study the impact of this pandemic, especially on the housing sector.
 
“The achievement of the sustainable development goals has become a priority and more important than ever in light of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.
 
The Prime Minister called on the international community to offer help to communities and peoples that suffer from a decline in the level and quality of housing services.
 
This can be carried out through organised and effective action that improves the mechanisms of sustainable development in them by expanding housing projects and providing them with the latest health and educational services and advanced infrastructure, he stressed.
 
 “In the Kingdom of Bahrain, we are proud that we have put in place urban and housing programmes decades ago, and we have succeeded in dealing with the housing file according to a comprehensive vision that includes diagnosing reality and anticipating the future, based on our awareness of the importance of the housing sector in ensuring sustainability and providing the citizens with the elements of comfort and decent living,” the Prime Minister said.
 
HRH the Prime Minister indicated that the Kingdom of Bahrain is witnessing a wide urban renaissance in various regions, as many new housing cities are being provided and built.
 
He said that the housing projects have been designed according to the latest construction and architectural models and provided with the infrastructure, facilities and modern services that keep pace with the future needs.
 
HRH Premier affirmed that the government, in all its action programmes, has been keen to give the housing sector priority by allocating budgets that ensure the continuation of the pace of work in establishing housing projects, regardless of the challenges.
 
The Prime Minister praised the important role that the private sector plays in supporting the government's efforts through a series of housing projects that it has implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Housing within the "social housing" programme, which has had a clear contribution to meeting a large part of housing demands.
 
HRH Premier expressed his appreciation for the efforts made by the Ministry of Housing and all its employees in implementing housing projects in various towns and villages of Bahrain, according to visions based on the concept of sustainability, and taking into account the needs of Bahraini society.
 
He praised the initiatives and efforts of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and its good endeavours to promote the march of international collective action in the field of sustainable development, and improve the living conditions of people on all economic, social and environmental levels.
 
HRH the Prime Minister affirmed the Kingdom of Bahrain's interest in expanding cooperation with the UN-Habitat and availing of its expertise to support the efforts of urban and housing sustainability in the Kingdom.