Bahrain says it is on course to meet the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, a confidence it will showcase in its second Voluntary National Review at July’s High-Level Political Forum in New York.
At a press briefing in Manama, Sustainable Development Minister Noor Al Khulaif outlined the kingdom’s roadmap for delivering the 17-goal blueprint that tackles poverty, climate action and gender equality. Six stakeholder consultations will feed into the review, focusing on water and sanitation (SDG 6), affordable energy (SDG 7), resilient infrastructure (SDG 9), sustainable cities (SDG 11) and partnerships (SDG 17). Officials said the document will highlight Bahrain’s post-COVID recovery, progress on universal education and health care, and the climate pledges announced by HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister at COP26. Those include a 2060 net-zero target, a plan to double tree cover by 2035 and quadruple mangrove forests, plus a 30 percent emissions cut through decarbonisation and renewables.
UN Resident Coordinator Khaled El Mekwad confirmed that technical support from UN agencies will continue, while the Foreign Affairs Ministry stressed that all new legislation is screened for SDG alignment. Bahrain met the earlier Millennium Development Goals ahead of schedule and now ranks among the region’s top performers on labour skills and digital readiness, yet officials acknowledged challenges around marine conservation and institutional transparency flagged in the Arab Region SDG Index.
“Bahrain has always given top priority to the SDGs as we continue to work with the Foreign Affairs Ministry, which is our strategic partner,” said Minister Al Khulaif.
Public and private-sector stakeholders can share input through the Sustainable Development Ministry ahead of the July forum.
