Bahrain has joined other GCC and Arab countries in endorsing a document that aims to elevate the standard of living of people, end conflicts and bring long-term stability to the region.

They agreed the terms of the ‘Bahrain Document’, which features a list of 17 key recommendations, at the end of the three-day Arab High Level Forum on Sustainable Development, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

Some of the points ratified by countries and UN experts included eradicating poverty, reducing unemployment, promoting the green economy and confronting water shortages.

"These 17 points in the Bahrain Document will help Arab negotiators make their case stronger in drafting the post-2015 sustainable development goals in New York," said Central Informatics Organisation president Dr Mohammed Al Amer during a press conference at the end of the summit at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa last night.

He said participants reached a consensus on several pressing issues facing the region.

"We consolidated our position on the importance of ending the Israeli occupation and dealing with problems of refugees coming from conflict countries," he said.

The Bahrain Document also calls for action by Arab and Gulf governments to address issues such as food scarcity, desertification and face the threat of natural disasters by setting up early detection systems.

It also calls for the building of strong financial institutions to back regional economies and invest in research projects.

"We as an Arab bloc can now discuss all these points in future meetings and make our negotiators lobby for them in the UN," said Dr Al Amer.

"I believe these recommendations will lead to sustainable development in the region in the long run." Social Development Minister Faeqa Al Saleh added the Bahrain Document promoted respect for human rights, women and youth empowerment, as well as good governance. - TradeArabia News Service