Bahrain’s commitment to ensuring a sustainable and resilient future for all has been highlighted in a new report that will be presented by officials at a high-level United Nations (UN) meeting.
The second Voluntary National Review (VNR) 2023 documents progress made by Bahrain in implementing the 2030 agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
SDGs are a set of 17 goals with 169 targets and 248 indicators that include eradicating poverty, hunger and gender discrimination while guaranteeing affordable and clean energy, climate action and quality education.
All UN member-states in 2015 agreed to work towards achieving the goal by 2030.
A Bahraini delegation is in New York to participate in the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development and present the VNR. It includes Sustainable Development Minister Noor Alkhulaif, who in the report praises the ‘forward-looking vision’ of the leadership in taking action to accelerate the progress made towards SDG implementation. “Since the preparation of the kingdom’s first VNR in 2018, we have undoubtedly witnessed an acceleration in addressing environmental challenges, investment in renewable energy, digitisation, emergency and disaster preparedness, as well as tackling the fiscal sustainability challenges,” said Ms Alkhulaif in the report.
At the heart of Bahrain’s policies is the current government plan (2023-26) titled ‘From Recovery to Sustainable Growth’ with strong alignment to the SDGs in the social, economic and environmental fronts, while the Economic Recovery Plan launched in 2021 advocates for inclusive recovery post the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ms Alkhulaif said since the establishment of the ministry in June last year, officials have been taking steps to align ongoing and new policies or plans with the SDGs.
“The ministry is targeting measuring progress using indicators ‘beyond Gross Domestic Product (GDP), incorporating all dimensions of sustainable development,” she said. “Through this review, Bahrain reaffirms its dedication and commitment to the 2030 Agenda and to work with the international community towards achieving sustainable development and a better future for all.”
The report features a chapter on Bahrain’s Covid-19 response and recovery that highlights pre-emptive measures taken by the government three weeks before the first case was reported in February 2020, setting up a dedicated War Room to monitor readiness and response efforts and introducing robots using artificial intelligence to treat isolated patients.
It says Bahrain achieved a high vaccination rate, with 92.9 per cent of the eligible population inoculated by September 30 2021, exceeding the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) goal of 70pc by the end of 2021.
The review also revealed that Bahraini women made up the vast majority of frontline workers and 75pc of the national taskforce. Bahraini doctors were sent to Jordan and India to help with their local Covid-19 response.
“Bahrain’s agile government continued to work together with the private sector to deliver high-impact initiatives that contributed to economic growth and human capital,” the report said in its conclusion. “This partnership with the private sector has delivered major strategic infrastructure, housing, tourism and health projects.”
Progress made in different SDGs
1: No Poverty
The Bahrain government, with an annual social support expenditure of BD454 million (equivalent to 13.6pc of the total annual expenditure of 2021) provides extensive social welfare support to various segments of society.
Cost of living allowance is provided to pensioners, besides disability allowance, meat subsidies in advance every three months to registered families, financial support to low-income individuals and social security to widows, elderly, divorcees, families of prisoners etc.
Interior Ministry’s Fael Khair allows the public to assist citizens convicted in financial cases and as of May last month, more than BD2m was donated that helped over 500 beneficiaries.
The Royal Humanitarian Foundation (RHF) provides assistance to 11,000 orphans and widows, offers 4,096 scholarships, and 8,311 healthcare-and 36,228 humanitarian aids.
The Social Development Ministry is working on the concept of ‘multidimensional poverty’ in its strategies that not only considers household income but also other factors such as access to health services, education, electricity, water and sanitation.
2: Zero Hunger
Agricultural advisory services are offered to 24 farms every month and more than 900 Bahrainis enrolled in a course to learn about the latest farming techniques to tackle challenges posed by climate change and environment.
Several widows have been trained on soil-less cultivation techniques in co-operation with the private sector. New agricultural lands are being made available through government platforms while a permanent Farmer’s Market was set up in Hoorat A’ali in 2018.
Four specialised production facilities are being established and 10 existing ones are being expanded as part of foreign direct investments to promote food security. Two new state-of-the-art fin fish hatcheries are being developed along with several partners to produce 20 million fingerlings per year.
A study is also underway to set up a gene bank of seeds for plant conservation that will help create a database while the Botanical Atlas launched this year provides details on types of crops using satellite images.
3: Good health and well- being
National Health Insurance Programme (SEHATI) due to be rolled out next year offers different treatments and services to citizens and expats.
Plans are underway to set up a specialised genetic analysis centre in partnership with Harvard Medical School as part of the National Genome Programme to improve health services and prevent diseases. The centre will have a database of the Bahraini population’s DNA that will be analysed to lower the risk of contracting diseases.
Plans are on to set up the first psychiatric hospital for children to help with early diagnostics. A national health survey is set to be launched this year to provide updated information on the well-being of citizens and residents.
4: Quality Education
Seven new schools and five environmentally friendly academic buildings are being constructed. A Special Education programme aimed at integrating students with disabilities and other learning difficulties has proved to be successful with at least 175 public schools covered in the scheme. In addition, 61 government schools have been equipped with devices and facilities for gifted students.
5: Gender Equality
Virtual Commercial Registrations (CR) owned by women increased from 48pc to 53pc last year and women’s political participation surged with the first female speaker of Parliament elected in 2018.
The Supreme Council for Women launched a unified national database - Takatof - with statistics on domestic violence that monitors cases and links with government agencies.
6: Clean Water and Sanitation
Bahrain has ensured 100pc supply coverage of safe and affordable drinking water to all citizens and residents.
National Water Strategy 2030 was approved to ensure effective management and plans are in place to expand water production projects by 2027 that includes increasing reserves to over 227,000 cubic metres per day from 114,000 for emergency use.
Bahrain was using 195pc of its renewable freshwater resources in 2000, however, the water stress level dropped to 156pc in 2021 which meant it managed to reduce a fifth of its freshwater withdrawals in two decades. The water transportation network expanded from 150km in 2002 to 618km in 2022, while the storage capacity increased from 87 tanks to 164 last year.
7:Affordable and clean energy
The country offers 100pc access to electricity for its population. Bapco Energies is spearheading the development of the national energy strategy to pave the way for the kingdom’s net zero targets.
Solar and wind projects aim to generate 5pc of the country’s electricity by 2025, increasing it to 20pc by 2035.
Projects underway include a 100 MW solar power plant in Askar to power more than 17,000 homes, and installation of solar energy systems on rooftops of eight public schools with the aim to have all public schools powered by green energy by 2031.
As of last month, the total renewable energy installed capacity in Bahrain was 51.9MW, whereas the projects currently under progress will contribute another 218.8MW.
8: Decent work and economic growth
As part of the Economic Recovery Plan, 29,995 citizens were employed in 2022 surpassing the annual target of 20,000. This helped in the reduction in unemployment rate from 7.7 in 2021 to 5.4pc last year. A total of 27,000 Bahrainis working in about 6,000 companies benefited from Tamkeen’s wage subsidies that totalled BD150m, of which 40pc went to Bahraini women.
9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
The country embraced digital transformation and moved 229 government services online between 2019 and last year. 100pc of the population have been covered by a 5G network and fiber optic broadband networks are available for all businesses in Bahrain.
Made in Bahrain satellite, designed and developed by a team of Bahrainis, is set to be launched.
10: Reduce inequalities
Bahrain has been empowering its youth through national programmes while identifying their talents and developing their skills.
Expat workers were supported during the pandemic through medical treatment, meals and vaccinations. Illegals were given amnesty to leave the country without legal action, or rectify their status.
A pivotal training programme was launched in 2019 to help people with disabilities obtain a driving licence for free and 162 individuals have benefited from the scheme.
11: Sustainable cities and communities
The government delivered on its commitment to provide 40,000 housing units to citizens between 2013 and last year, through the construction of five new cities financed by the GCC Development Programme and the private sector.
A new airport terminal opened in 2021 and continued upgrades to roads and sanitation services have helped in improving connectivity.
There are plans to develop a network of bike and e-bike lanes throughout the country to promote healthier lifestyles
The Bahrain Metro project, expected to be completed in 2027, covering 109km, will offer a sustainable mode of transport.
Plans are on to set up a National Urban Observatory and increase the network of public parks and green spaces.
12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Steps have been taken to promote waste reduction and recycling, and legislations framed to manage plastic, hazardous and e-waste.
About 95,000 tonnes of waste were recycled locally in 2021; about 130,000 tonnes were imported to be utilised in production facilities and 325,000 tonnes of waste were exported.
13: Climate Action
The country is mitigating greenhouse gas emissions via outreach and collaboration with domestic emitters including more than 10 entities in the private sector and three in public sector. Collectively, these emitters make up more than 90pc of greenhouse gas emissions in the country. A new methane collection system installed in Askar landfill covering around 20pc of its total area will help reduce carbon footprint.
The National Adaptation Investment Plan aims to tackle challenges such as rising sea levels, water scarcity, food security and extreme temperatures. Projects include setting up climate-smart nurseries for afforestation planning, control of animal diseases, and developing climate-resistant and low-carbon livestock and poultry value chain and fish-rearing habitats.
14: Life below water
Seven protected marine areas have been identified including Najwat Bulthama, which is one of Bahrain’s most vibrant coral beds.
Seasonal fishing has been introduced to protect certain species and measures are being taken to avoid unlawful capture of dolphins and some shark species.
Bahrain is commited to quadruple the mangrove coverage across coastal areas by 2035 as part of plans to achieve net zero by 2060. Last year, 110,000 mangroves were planted and efforts continue this year with another 100,000 seedlings planted in May.
Last month, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, announced the doubling of the previously announced target of 230,000 mangroves in 2023 to 460,000.
The National Artificial Reef project was launched this year to introduce new artificial habitats to help the growth of marine organisms and support biodiversity.
15: Life on Land
Wadi Al Buhair was declared in July last year as a natural reserve.
Plans are on to double the number of trees – from 1.8m currently to nearly 3.6m by 2035 – through expansion of afforestation projects on streets and intersections. Measures are also being taken to combat the red palm weevil that is destructive to date palms.
16: Peace, Justice and Strong institutions
Bahrain has launched alternative penalties for convicts and Open prisons programme as part of rehabilitation efforts for eligible inmates. The country also witnessed the highest voter turnout (73pc) in the 2022 Parliament and municipal polls, with an increase of 30pc in women’s representation. Eight women were elected.
17: Partnerships for the Goals
The RHF supported Ukraine by signing a $1m grant agreement with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and this year, raised BD1.5m as part of a national campaign for victims of earthquakes in Syria and Turkiye.
Bahrain worked with regional and international bodies as part of Covid-19 response and provided a platform for international figures to discuss the region’s pressing issues during the annual Manama Dialogue.
sandy@gdnmedia.bh
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