Bahrain will host a major forum tomorrow (May 5) to set priorities for regional and international development co-operation.

Top Arab ministers will discuss major economic, environmental and social challenges at the three-day forum, which is being held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

Ministers responsible for environment, social development and finance will meet at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa for the second session of the Arab High Level Forum on Sustainable Development, which is hosted by Bahrain's government.

It will draw more than 400 delegates, including 13 Arab ministers.

The forum's results will provide an essential input to the UN's Summit in September, which will set the development goals agenda for years to come.

The most prominent event at the forum will be the launch of the Millennium Development Goals Bahrain 2015, which includes assessment of achievement level of each of the Millennium Development Goals.

It will also highlight the progress made in achieving these goals that have been drawn in the UN Development Declaration for the year 2000 pertaining to the eradication of extreme poverty, generalisation of primary education, promoting equality and fighting diseases while ensuring a sustainable environment in the framework of a global partnership for development.

Monitoring the progress of sustainable development in the region in the light of continuing conflicts and enhancing the right to development and human dignity will also be key elements. - TradeArabia News Service