Government leaders, entrepreneurs set to gather in Bahrain for UN forum on sustainable development

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.

“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.

At this time of global economic uncertainty, enhanced international development cooperation is more important than ever […] world leaders need to deliver on their promise to lift people from poverty, ensure sustainability and make sure that no one is left behind President of the General Assembly Miroslav Lajčák

Highlighting, in particular, the focus on the role of female entrepreneurs and the challenges they face in industry, Hashim Hussein, the Head of UNIDO Investment, Technology and Promotion Office in Bahrain (ITPO-Bahrain) said that the percentage of women owning business – below 10 per cent worldwide – and challenges relating to issues such as maternity leave and working hours are indicative of the challenges they face at work.

The Forum will, therefore, discusses addressing these challenges and explore opportunities for women to be more active in the industrial arena and promote women entrepreneurship, including through access to finance and new technologies, building support networks, and managerial skills.

It will focus on the role of female entrepreneurs, partnerships for development, and the implications for achieving the 2030 Agenda, in particular SDG 9 on industry, innovation and infrastructure.

Hashim Hussein, Head of UNIDO ITPO-Bahrain (right); Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Under Secretary for International Affairs at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bahrain (second right); Amin El Sharkawi, UN Resident Coordinator for Bahrain(second left); and Samir Al Darabi Director of UNIC Manama (left); at a WEIF press briefing in Manama, Bahrain. Photo: UN News/Vibhu Mishra

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 today, 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.

Hashim Hussein, Head of UNIDO ITPO-Bahrain (right) speaks at the press briefing. Photo: UN News/Vibhu Mishra

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.

UN News is on location in Manama, Bahrain, covering the Forum and its associated events. Follow @UN_News_Centre and @UNNewsArabic to stay updated on news and highlights from WEIF 2017.