Kingdom of Bahrain

28 June , 2007;
Bahrain’s Strategy for Industrial Export Development:
In a statement at a seminar jointly organized by the Ministry of Trade and Commerce and UNDP on the WTO and FTA’s Role to Strengthen the Bahrain Strategy for Industrial Export Development, Mr. Sayed Aqa, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, stated that “the role of fair trade cannot be over emphasized in sustainable human development”.
Huma Fakher, UNDP Consultant based on a comprehensive analysis studying threat and opportunities of WTO and FTA agreements for Bahrain, spoke about the opportunities that exist for local SME’s to utilize the FTA agreement as a launch pad for the Kingdom’s manufacturing industry. Commercial development opportunities acquired through enhanced global trade can be channeled into the local economy if they are adequately utilized. It was highlighted that the business community in Bahrain could do better to benefit from provisions of US-Bahrain FTA.
“This underlines a need for capacities and support mechanisms to maximize benefits from FTAs”, said Mr. Aqa. He also expressed the willingness of UNDP to provide technical expertise to analyze the implications of GCC-EU and GCC-China trade relations on the long term economic as well as human development, and to provide relevant technical support.
The seminar was held under the patronage of Dr. Hassan Abdullah Fakhro, Bahrain’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, who expressed his appreciation for the support provided by UNDP. The event was attended by over 50 delegates comprising of high level government officials and key businesses.

27 June , 2007;
Urbanization: "A Majority in Cities":
The world is undergoing the largest wave of urban growth in history. In 2008, for the first time in history, more than half of the world’s population will be living in towns and cities. By 2030 this number will swell to almost 5 billion, with urban growth concentrated in Africa and Asia. While mega-cities have captured much public attention, most of the new growth will occur in smaller towns and cities, which have fewer resources to respond to the magnitude of the change.
In principle, cities offer a more favorable setting for the resolution of social and environmental problems than rural areas. Cities generate jobs and income. With good governance, they can deliver education, health care and other services more efficiently than less densely settled areas simply because of their advantages of scale and proximity.
Cities also present opportunities for social mobilization and women’s empowerment. And the density of urban life can relieve pressure on natural habitats and areas of biodiversity. The challenge for the next few decades is learning how to exploit the possibilities urbanization offers. The future of humanity depends on it.
On June 27th, "The State of the World’s Population 2007: Unleashing the Potential of Urban Growth" will be released by the UNFPA. This year’s volume focuses on the challenges and opportunities that urbanization presents for health and development.
UNFPA helps countries to address emerging demographic issues such as urbanization in development and poverty eradication policies, plans and strategies. It assists them to analyze the socio-economic implications of urbanization and to design policies that respond to the needs of diverse demographic groups within cities. The Fund conducts research studies and strengthens national capacity to understand trends and to collect, analyze and use data related to urbanization. The 2007 State of World Population report analyzes the coming urban transformation and raises an urgent call for policymakers to take proactive measures to unleash the potential it offers.
Mr. Sayed Aqa, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, made a statement to the press regarding the launch of the UNFPA Report. The country must plan for urbanisation in terms of distribution of housing, business and services, he said.

17 June, 2007;
Press Conference - “Control of Hereditary Blood diseases in Bahrain”:
Health issues have a direct impact on development and this is why UNDP Bahrain is taking active steps in this field, said Mr. Sayed Aqa, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, at a press conference held at UN House on the Control of Hereditary Blood Diseases in Bahrain. The Press conference celebrates the finalization of the student screening campaign of 2007 which surveyed 18,000 children for hereditary blood diseases.
UNDP renewed its support to the cause of controlling blood diseases in Bahrain through its support to the Ministry of Health. "The project is aimed at controlling the diseases through building national capacities within the Ministry of Health, health education and raising public awareness on national level, improving reporting systems, and upgrading preventive, diagnostic and curative services," said Mr Aqa.
CDs prepared as educational awareness materials were handed over to the Ministry of Education yesterday to be distributed to hospitals, schools, universities, and citizens. The materials include booklets, lectures, leaflets, and reports related to blood diseases in Bahrain.
Control of Hereditary Blood Diseases is one component of a joint project between UNDP and the Ministry of Health. The other two components are HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases; and Non Communicable Diseases. The project began in 2005 and is due to be finalized by the end of 2007.
Upcoming aspects of the Hereditary Blood Diseases component include newborn screening, the launch of a public awareness campaign and further training for medical staff on best international practices in the field of genetic blood diseases
Mr. Aqa applauded the efforts of the government of the Kingdom of Bahrain in this field and stated that these achievements are globally recognized.

12 June, 2007;
Conference on “Business Ethics and Integrity in the Middle East 2007”:
Speaking at the opening of a conference on Business Ethics and Integrity in the Middle East 2007, Mr. Sayed Aqa, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative expressed that “many factors other than financial success contribute to sustainability. Strong governance and ethical behavior contribute significantly to corporate well-being.” The conference addressed the need to draw attention and awareness to business ethics which can be attributed to a number of key development factors such as ethics in government relations; comparative organizational ethics, and business ethics in management practices.
Mr. Aqa stressed the need for organizations and firms to establish and follow codes of conduct with values and principles that improve humanity as well as encourage profits. “Ethical behavior that promotes greater economic opportunity for all results to stability and rule of law”, he said.
The event was held under the patronage of Dr. Abdul Hussein bin Ali Mirza, Minister of Oil and Gas and Chair of the National Oil and Gas Authority, and attended by senior officials and dedicated ministry staff.

8 June, 2007;
Climate Change:
BAHRAIN's policy makers and citizens were urged to take steps to reduce carbon emissions and help halt climate change on the occasion of World Environment Day, which was celebrated at Beit Al Quran, Manama.
British Council director Sandra Hamrouni said studies had projected that sea levels were most likely to rise by 28 to 43cm by the end of this century, which spelt potential disaster for Bahrain and other countries on or around sea level. "Global warming is already happening - it's not something in the distant future and we need to take action now."
Ms. Hamrouni added that while climate change has already had a devastating impact on the earth, it is within our power to head off its worst effects without paying a high price, through technology and through relatively small changes to the ways in which we live and work. If each of us took responsibility to offset our carbon emissions we could make a huge difference.
The celebration also brought together representatives from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife.
This event marked the conclusion of a month-long environment exhibition, entitled NorthSouthEastWest, which was conceived and organized by the British Council and The Climate Group.

7 June, 2007;
Call for Greater Female Leadership in the Middle East:
Women must assume more leadership positions in the public sphere in the Middle East, according to the UN General Assembly President, Shaikha Haya bint Rashed Al Khalifa. Shaikha Haya, a legal expert, was in Spain on a three-day visit organized by Casa Arabe, an international institute of Arab and Islamic Studies.
While the status of women differs in various regions of the Middle East, Shaikha Haya noted that “Women in many parts of the region still face multi-layered discrimination that is deep-rooted in our legal framework, culture and educational system.”
Traditions become interconnected with religion which makes them difficult to change or criticize. “This has created a mentality that fears the autonomy of women because it is viewed as a threat; a threat to the traditional family and a threat to the marital relationship as well as a catalyst to sexual freedom” she added.
Shaikha Haya encouraged the teaching of more critical thinking in philosophy and theology in order to tackle the obstacles we face today.

5 June 2007;
Shaikha Haya to receive Global Peace Award:
Shaikha Haya bint Rashed Al Khalifa, President of the 61st session of the U.N. General Assembly, will be bestowed the 2007 Path to Peace Award.
Shaikha Haya was unanimously selected to receive the Award which will be presented on June 12 from the Path to Peace Foundation, an agency established to carry out projects to support the work of the Holy See Permanent Observer Mission at the United Nations.
“It is in recognition of her dedicated efforts on behalf of peace and development,” said Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Path to Peace Foundation President and Permanent Mission Observer of the Holy See to the U.N. Shaikha Haya was legal adviser to the Royal Court in Bahrain previous to her appointment as President of the U.N. General Assembly.