Support to partnerships and financing 2030 Agenda

In 2022, UNCT continued to build and strengthen partnerships for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. UNCT further consolidated its long-lasting partnership with the Government through bilateral discussions and by engaging in strategic dialogue as part of the organization of two SCF Steering Committee meetings. The dialogue focused on issues of common concern including progress in the implementation of SCF outcomes, joint programming, support for the reinforcement of human rights capacities, and strengthening of the SDG financing architecture.

Discussions led to the approval by the SCF Steering Committee for further consideration of three comprehensive joint programme concept notes that seek to effect transformational changes in the fields of education, combating human trafficking and SDG localization. Further examination of the joint programme concept notes at the technical level brought together representatives of MoFA as the coordinating and convening entity on the side of the Government, Ministry of Finance and National Economy, Ministry of Sustainable Development and relevant line ministries, other government entities and United Nations agencies for each joint programme, creating a shared understanding of key development challenges and solutions to overcome them.

Photo credit : MoFA

On 6 October 2022, the Government and the United Nations convened the second SCF Steering Committee to examine three comprehensive joint programmes aimed at addressing key development challenges facing the country.

The conceptualization of a pooled fund took shape during the year to streamline SDG financing, prioritized in the two SCF Steering Committee discussions held during the year. Validation meetings were organized with relevant stakeholders, including the private sector, at the end of 2022 to assess the feasibility of the fund’s implementation and the opportunities for private capital mobilization towards the achievement of the SDGs in Bahrain. Broader topics related to SDG financing such as SDG budgeting and integrated national financing also came into focus during the year as part of the regular dialogue established with the Government.

In the context of the Government restructuring in 2022, UNCT renewed all key partnerships with ministries and other government entities. UNCT also established a fruitful collaborative relationship with the Ministry of Sustainable Development with a special focus on the preparation of the second VNR by the Government. The process, initiated in the second half of 2022, benefited from the specialized technical guidance and advice provided through a United Nations multi-agency effort in the framework of the partnership with the Ministry of Sustainable Development.

UNCT further contributed to the strengthening of multistakeholder dialogues in different fields which is essential to tackling complex development challenges and accelerating progress towards achievement of the SDGs. By way of example, UNCT helped bring together state actors across various sectors in a national workshop to foster integrated and coordinated action on the health of people, animals and the environment. UNCT also supported the consolidation of cross-sectoral partnerships to enhance the climate resilience of the water sector in the country.

The United Nations family continued to foster partnerships with and among civil society, private sector organizations and academia to advance the SDGs, with around one-third of interventions being undertaken in collaboration with partners beyond government institutions. For example, UNCT brought together over 10 civil society and private sector organizations as part of a series of events to promote sustainable urban development, partnered with Bahraini youth athletes to advocate for healthy lifestyle choices. UNCT also continued to engage with academic institutions to raise awareness on sustainable development issues. Notably, the benefits of UNCT partnership efforts extend beyond the country’s borders and contribute to relief efforts in Afghanistan, as well as meeting the humanitarian needs of displaced Ukrainians, Afghans and Syrian refugees in Jordan.

Photo credit : UNHCR

The Bahrain Humanitarian Foundation and UNHCR signed three agreements for USD 3 million to support relief efforts in Afghanistan and in response to the humanitarian needs of displaced Ukrainians, Afghans and Syrian refugees in Jordan.