Bahrain has invested BD3.3 billion to finance social housing projects since the establishment of the Housing Ministry.
The partnership between the public and private sector is expected to further boost housing projects over the coming years, said Housing Minister Bassem Al Hamer.
He was addressing a UN High-Level Meeting on the Implementation of the New Urban Agenda in New York, which also discussed the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
He highlighted His Majesty King Hamad’s royal directives to construct 40,000 units and the efforts of the government, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to build new residential towns and housing blocks across the country.
Mr Al Hamer stressed the importance of the partnership between the public and private sector in further supporting the government’s programmes.
He pointed out the government’s initiative to launch the BD4.5 billion stimulus package to support the national economy amid efforts to mitigate the challenges resulting from the outbreak of Covid-19.
He said that the pandemic did not prevent Bahrain from continuing efforts to implement the sustainable development goals in parallel with the New Urban Plan and Agenda 2030.
The minister announced the government’s plans to set up a national urban observatory in co-operation with the UN Human Settlements Programme to compile data and calculate indicators regarding the viability of housing policies.
Head of UN Habitat Country Programme in Bahrain Dr Fernanda Lonardone emphasised the importance of Bahrain’s commitment to global agendas and its participation in the UN high-level meeting in New York.
“This is a good opportunity for Bahrain to evaluate its efforts in implementing the new urban plan and the sustainable development goals and share knowledge, and highlight plans to develop more sustainable cities,” she added.
“There is a growing understanding among all sectors of government and society about the importance of considering how cities can be planned and how they can be a catalyst for sustainable development,” she concluded.
Meanwhile, Mr Al Hamer met UN Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif and highlighted Bahrain’s progress in achieving the sustainable development goals and enhancing housing policies.
He highlighted efforts to protect the environment, citing the ‘Green Forever’ campaign to plant 50,000 trees and develop health and eco-cities.
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