Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture and UN-Habitat Launch "Buthoor Al Bahrain" Campaign
The Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, along with the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) in the Kingdom of Bahrain, has launched a national campaign to raise awareness about the importance of nature and trees, and to promote green spaces throughout the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The campaign was launched in celebration of Urban October, a global event that encourages everyone to work toward a better urban future through awareness-raising and cultural exchange.
The campaign, titled "Buthoor Al Bahrain," is part of the "Building Green and Sustainable Cities" project implemented by UN-Habitat in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and in partnership with the Ministry of Municipalities and Agriculture and the National Initiative for Agricultural Development. This partnership aims to promote a transition toward more sustainable urban systems by increasing green spaces in the Kingdom, in line with the national afforestation plan.
During the launch event, which was attended by HE Engineer Wael bin Nasser Al-Mubarak, Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, a number of distinguished ministers, Mr. Khaled Al-Maqood, the UN Resident Coordinator in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Her Excellency Sheikha Maram bint Isa Al Khalifa, Secretary-General of the National Initiative for Agricultural Development, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Undersecretary for Municipal Affairs, and Dr. Fernanda Leonardoni, Head of UN-Habitat in Bahrain, along with several officials from the ministry and the UN, the electronic platform "Buthoor Al Bahrain" was launched, and the mobile truck "Mobile Buthoor" was introduced to the public.
The campaign invites citizens and residents of the Kingdom of Bahrain to utilize the interactive "Buthoor Al Bahrain" platform, where they can propose new locations for tree planting in their neighborhoods and communities. In turn, the mobile truck "Mobile Buthoor" will distribute trees, raise awareness, and engage directly with people in the streets and neighborhoods of the Kingdom of Bahrain, providing individuals with the opportunity for direct participation in transforming and improving their communities to facilitate access to them.
HE Engineer Wael bin Nasser Al-Mubarak, Minister of Municipalities and Agriculture, stated that the "Buthoor Al Bahrain" campaign reflects the effective partnership between the UN and the Kingdom of Bahrain, looking forward to the continuation of this constructive cooperation, which contributes to enhancing the path of sustainable development and aligns with the Kingdom’s commitments and environmental goals, including increasing green areas and doubling the number of trees to reach 3.6 million trees by 2035.
Minister Al-Mubarak clarified that the "Buthoor Al Bahrain" campaign aligns with the national afforestation plan, aiming to raise awareness about the benefits of afforestation and green spaces in urban areas in Bahrain, stating: "Through this campaign, we invite citizens and residents to contribute to the shared vision of shaping sustainable and green communities in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
For his part, Mr. Khaled Al-Maqood, the UN Resident Coordinator in the Kingdom of Bahrain, praised the partnership with the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, stating, "The ‘Buthoor Al Bahrain’ campaign represents one aspect of the close cooperation between the UN and the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain to achieve sustainable development goals, including building a sustainable future and preserving the urban environment in the Kingdom for future generations." He expressed hope that the campaign would raise community awareness about the importance of green spaces.
For her part, HE Sheikha Maram bint Isa Al Khalifa, Secretary-General of the National Initiative for Agricultural Development, confirmed the initiative's support for all projects aimed at increasing the vegetation cover in the Kingdom of Bahrain. She emphasized the ongoing collaboration with the UN-Habitat and various UN agencies to support Bahrain's afforestation programs.
Sheikha Maram noted that contributions from both the government and private sectors, along with civil society organizations and international institutions, all serve the objectives of the national afforestation plan. She looks forward to the 'Buthoor Al Bahrain' campaign becoming an additional platform to raise awareness about the importance of afforestation in achieving sustainable development goals.
In this context, Dr. Fernanda Leonardoni, Head of UN-Habitat in Bahrain, stated: "Trees and green spaces provide numerous benefits, such as shading, cooling, reducing temperatures, enhancing mental health, and preserving biodiversity, among others. By promoting a sustainable and green future for the areas of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the campaign will help create a balanced and healthy urban environment that enriches the lives of residents and develop local ecosystems. This aligns with UN-Habitat's priorities, as well as continuing to plant the seeds of change and support government efforts towards achieving sustainable development goals.
