MLSD Minister Participates in the meeting of the 40th session of the Council of Arab Social Affairs Ministers

19-12-2020

His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Mr. Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, participated in the 40th session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs via video‑conference, chaired by the United Arab Emirates' Minister of Community Development and President of the current session, Ms. Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid. At the outset, the Council extended its warmest congratulations to the Kingdom of Bahrain—its leadership and people—on the occasion of the glorious National Day and the anniversary of the accession to the throne of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the country's great King, may God protect and preserve him. The Council commended the Kingdom's development achievements across various fields and extended its wishes for continued progress and prosperity to Bahrain. The Council also noted Bahrain's proactive and pioneering experience in mitigating the repercussions of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and commended the efforts of all Arab countries to confront the pandemic's adverse effects and provide health and social care to every segment of society. The meeting discussed several development issues, foremost among them the efforts of Arab countries to contain the coronavirus (COVID-19) and its social and humanitarian repercussions, as well as the possibility of drawing on the Arab Fund for Social Action's budget to support vulnerable groups in countries affected by the pandemic. It considered the draft Arab Strategic Framework for Social Protection in Emergency Situations and reviewed measures to follow up the social dimensions of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals—especially eradicating multidimensional poverty in Arab states and safeguarding the rights of People of Determination and older persons encompassed by the Goals. The ministers further discussed allocating financial support from the Fund to a number of social and development projects in several Arab countries. In his address, Humaidan reaffirmed the Kingdom of Bahrain's eagerness to support joint Arab action and to assist brotherly and friendly nations in implementing their social and development programmes aligned with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and with efforts to combat the coronavirus (COVID‑19) pandemic. He stressed the importance of unifying endeavours to overcome the crisis and secure the health and safety of Arab societies. His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development reviewed Bahrain's initiatives to realise the Sustainable Development Goals, reflected in social welfare programmes and the provision of a decent living for all segments of society. He also highlighted the government's tireless application of precautionary and preventive measures to safeguard public health amid the coronavirus (COVID‑19) pandemic, including policies aimed at protecting children, senior citizens, People of Determination, and those particularly affected by the crisis. The meeting adopted several resolutions, including the final draft of the Arab Strategy for Volunteer Work; the strategy and executive action plan for the Arab Region's Platform for Action within the framework of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals; and the Arab Strategy for Reducing Domestic Violence and Strengthening Family Cohesion. The Arab Ministers of Social Affairs also approved the executive plan for the Arab Guide for Child‑Friendly Justice in Legislation and Regulations in Arab Countries. They further endorsed the revised index of multidimensional poverty in Arab countries as the basis for preparing the second draft Arab report on multidimensional poverty. Finally, the session tasked the Social Affairs Sector of the General Secretariat with preparing an Arab plan to support the rights of People of Determination during epidemics and crises, in co‑operation with the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and the United Nations Population Fund.