MANAMA – 20 February 2026: The United Nations in Bahrain has convened two-day high-level consultation workshops to advance a more coherent and results-driven partnership framework under the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2025–2029.
Facilitated by the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bahrain, the sessions brought together UN officials, government representatives, private-sector stakeholders, chambers of commerce and academics to strengthen collaboration mechanisms.
The consultations mark a significant step toward developing a new UN Bahrain–Public Sector–Private Sector Partnership Strategy for 2026–2029, aimed at improving institutional alignment and accelerating progress toward national and global development goals.
UN Resident Coordinator Khaled El Mekwad highlighted the potential of more structured partnerships to support shared priorities, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He stressed that the objective is to simplify and accelerate partnership formation while ensuring stronger alignment with Bahrain’s national development agenda.
Officials emphasised that partnerships extend beyond financial contributions, focusing also on mobilising Bahrain’s strengths in technology, innovation, data solutions and co-financing models.
Hatem Abdelhameed Hatem, Head of International Organizations at Bahrain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noted that the UNSDCF 2025–2029 aligns UN support with Bahrain Economic Vision 2030, with a strong emphasis on measurable impact, innovation and results.
He underscored the importance of a structured triangular collaboration model bringing together the Government, the United Nations and the private sector to translate development priorities into scalable initiatives and investments.
Participants reviewed the proposed UN Bahrain partnership strategy, explored SDG-aligned investment opportunities and discussed practical engagement models to improve coordination and approval processes.
Priority sectors identified include manufacturing, food security, logistics and connectivity, digital transformation including FinTech, AI and ICT, clean and renewable energy transition, vocational education, health services, sustainable tourism and hospitality innovation, as well as gender and disability inclusion.
