Manama, Feb. 22 (BNA): The Bahrain Center for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat) is organizing the launch of the State of Arab Cities Report 2022, entitled “Sustainable Financing for Urban Infrastructure”.
The event honors the ongoing multi-year collaboration between Derasat and the Regional Office for Arab States of the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat), and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Bahrain.
“A reliable reference for all urban planners interested in Arab affairs, with qualitative proposals to support the decision-making process in the countries of the region, and to benefit from urban planning based on the best global practices for Arab cities that have witnessed massive expansions with great social transformations that have affected them,” said Sheikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Chairman of Area Studies Board of Trustees.
Sheikh Abdullah stressed the importance of this report as the first regional report issued in Bahrain specifically for city planners and those interested in various aspects of development in general. Tremendous efforts have been made in research and field work based on cognitive and methodological frameworks, which reflect the prestigious bodies that cooperated to complete the report, making it a guide to the challenges facing Arab cities and their various circumstances.
He pointed out that this cooperation reflects the trust invested by international organizations in the Derasat Center and the cumulative achievements it has achieved in recent years, which made it an experienced and reliable partner through its expertise and capabilities, which helped the center complete a comprehensive study on Arab and international cities. its constraints, with a particular focus on sustainable financing for urban infrastructure; A major concern among the overlapping priorities facing those who oversee the development process in the Arab region.
Dr. Sheikh Abdullah praised the successful steps Bahrain has made in urban development and infrastructure to improve the quality of life for its residents and enhance their ability to participate and prove productive, paving the way for an ambitious vision for all. Bahrain’s achievements were achieved through a wise vision that led to an exceptional and unique case of responsible and sustainable urban planning, which reflects its proactive insight in light of various challenges and opportunities.
The report includes the latest urban statistics and data analysis of Arab cities, with the aim of drawing conclusions and recommendations for their urban planning and increasing understanding of the challenges they face, thus enhancing the role of urbanization in advancing sustainable development in the Arab region. .
The State of Arab Cities Report 2022 aims to assess the economic and financial frameworks of the Arab countries at the regional and local levels related to financing infrastructure in urban areas, and the prospects for unleashing their growth potential and stimulating their prosperity. The report will contribute to the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the New Urban Agenda in the Arab region, by promoting evidence-based urban policies and improving the living conditions of city dwellers in Arab countries.
This report was prepared inspired by the New Urban Agenda that was approved in Ecuador in 2016, in which several basic principles around urban planning in the era of the Sustainable Development Goals were agreed upon. After the success of the first edition of the State of Arab Cities Report issued in Kuwait in 2012, Studies Center was keen to contribute to the preparation of a new qualitative report that reflects the latest developments in urban thought, especially in light of Bahrain’s interest in sustainable development. Objectives.
The report also reviews Bahrain’s experience in dealing with the Covid-19 epidemic, and the speed and efficiency of the well-known Bahrain team that has been verified by many international organizations led by the World Health Organization, which drew attention to many lessons learned that were scientifically monitored, analyzed and shared. Within the framework of this report so that other Arab countries can benefit from it.
She praised Bahrain’s efforts and innovative methods in responding to the epidemic, noting that the Kingdom launched a financial package that exceeded 4.5 billion Bahraini dinars ($11.9 billion) to support the economic and commercial sectors, and took several swift measures to confront the epidemic. Including exempting consumers from paying bills. Although residents, companies, and institutions were affected by the pandemic, they were exempted from paying electricity and water bills for a period of three months, and banks were required to increase their lending capacity to about 3.7 billion dinars in order to postpone installments or provide additional financing. for clients.
While the report emphasized the strength of the partnership between Bahraini institutions and United Nations organizations, it praised the high position enjoyed by the Kingdom in the field of digital infrastructure, which constitutes one of the pillars of the Bahraini economy, and played a pivotal role in attracting it. Global Capital – such as Amazon Web Services. As indicated in the latest United Nations report, anyone residing in Bahrain can use high-speed internet at a low rate and with comprehensive coverage.
Derasat is a distinguished partner in many successful projects with United Nations organizations, including the Human Development Report 2018 in Bahrain, and a series of research and studies on the social and economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Bahrain.
FKN