A document outlining the Arab world’s position on sustainable development was presented to the United Nations (UN) yesterday (July 7) by Bahrain’s Social Development Minister Faeqa Al Saleh.

It is known as the “Bahrain Document” because it was drawn up by Arab League countries in Manama during the Arab High-Level Forum on Sustainable Development, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

The document was submitted by a Bahraini delegation attending the Third High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, which took place under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council.

It outlines 19 recommendations ratified by Arab League countries and UN experts who attended the forum in Manama and will be discussed further during the UN Leadership Forum in September.

The document will remain on the UN records for the next 15 years and highlights goals that include eradicating poverty, reducing unemployment, promoting the green economy and confronting water shortages.

It also highlights the importance of achieving regional stability and assisting countries that harbour refugees, ending the Israeli occupation of Palestine and other occupied Arab lands and working with the international community to achieve peace, security and inclusive sustainable development in the Arab region.

“Emphasising the importance of stability for achieving sustainable development, given increasing levels of extremism, terrorism and conflict in the region, with the consequent deterioration in the humanitarian situation, forced displacement and the increase in numbers of refugees,” states recommendation four of the Bahrain Document.

It also calls for action by Arab and Gulf governments to address issues such as food scarcity, desertification and face the threat of natural disasters by setting up early detection 
systems.

In addition, it notes a need to use every available asset in society including the disabled, youth and the elderly.

“Highlighting the need to expand participation of all societal groups in the development process in order to promote the social contract between citizen and state and enhance the participation of women, youth, persons with disabilities, the elderly, the displaced, refugees and marginalised groups, in an effort to promote social justice and sustainable development,” says recommendation six.

It also calls for the building of strong financial institutions to back regional economies and invest in research projects. - TradeArabia News Service