Government leaders, entrepreneurs set to gather in Bahrain for UN forum on sustainable development | WPN World People News

More than one thousand business leaders, government officials and academics will converge at a United Nations forum Tuesday in Bahrain to strengthen global partnerships, entrepreneurship and investment for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Skyline in Bahrain.

“As our world gets more interconnected, no one country or region can meet development challenges on its own,” the President of the General Assembly, Miroslav Lajčák – who will be attending the World Entrepreneurs Investment Forum – told UN News.

“The Forum offers a unique opportunity to promote entrepreneurship and innovation – both of which can help us build momentum to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” he added.

Being organized from 31 October to 2 November by the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), in partnership with the Government of Bahrain, the World Entrepreneurs Investment Forum has the overarching theme of 'Achieving the SDGs through promoting entrepreneurship and innovation.'

The three day Forum also includes a number of key events on the Maritime-Continental Silk Road; investing for global impact; women in industry; private sector engagement for implementing SDGs; promoting inclusive investment in Africa; and forging partnerships between entrepreneurs.

It will also recognize the contributions made by prominent women entrepreneurs from different parts of the world.

Linked to the World Forum, UNIDO organized a training on understanding links between gender equality and industrial development, and designing programmes and policies that promote women's economic empowerment.

Concluding later on Oct 30, key issues and challenges identified at the training will feed into one of the Forum's plenary sessions, informed Mr. Hussein.

Also on the agenda for the Forum is the inauguration of the Bahrain Entrepreneurs Exhibition, launch of the Maritime-Continental Silk Road Entrepreneurs Alliance and Action Plan, and the unveiling of the Coding for Girls joint initiative between the UN Development Programme (UNDP), UNIDO ITPO-Bahrain, Microsoft and the Bahrain Supreme Council for Women.

Entrepreneurship the “driving force” for years to come – UN official

Similarly, the UN Resident Coordinator for Bahrain and the UNDP Resident Representative, Amin El Sharkawi, also underscored the importance of entrepreneurship for sustainable development given that through innovative thinking, entrepreneurs can bring new dimensions to the implementation of the SDGs .

“Entrepreneurship can support the creation of wealth and develop dynamic solutions to problems and can give greater economic freedom and quality of life at the individual level,” said Mr. El Sharkawi, speaking at a press conference, alongside Mr. Hussein; Samir Al Darabi, the Director of the UN Information Centre in Manama; and Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Under Secretary for International Affairs at Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain.

In his remarks, the UN Resident Coordinator highlighted that through partnering with a broad range of stakeholders, the UN system in Bahrain is working to translate the global development agenda into local opportunities for business.

He expressed hope that with an understanding of sustainable development, entrepreneurs will be able to adopt sustainable business practices which would lead to better business opportunities as well as job creation.

Source:Untied Nations