Manama: Amna bint Ahmed Al Rumaihi, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, participated in the interactive multi-stakeholder dialogue sessions at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The sessions were part of the High-level Meeting on the Midterm Review of the Implementation of the New Urban Agenda.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Minister Al Rumaihi engaged in two dialogue sessions where she detailed Bahrain's initiatives in housing program development, housing finance system modernization, and private sector partnerships. These efforts aim to support sustainable urban growth and enhance service quality for citizens.
The minister outlined Bahrain's strategies for housing services, which include diverse homeownership solutions such as acquiring housing units and residential plots, self-building options, and purchasing off-plan housing units. She emphasized the tailored housing finance programs that offer flexibility and expand homeownership opportunities, thereby supporting family stability.
Furthermore, Minister Al Rumaihi highlighted Bahrain's governmental housing service improvements through business process re-engineering, digital transformation expansion, and integrated electronic service launches. These measures have improved transaction processing times, service efficiency, and access to housing services, enhancing the overall beneficiary experience.
She noted that Bahrain's housing programs are under constant review to adapt to economic and social changes, providing more flexible solutions and improving the integration of housing and financial services to boost system efficiency and sustainability.
The minister also discussed Bahrain's advancements in its housing finance system by diversifying financial tools, forming partnerships with banks, and introducing flexible financing solutions. These initiatives aim to broaden housing options, speed up service access, and maintain financial sustainability amid growing housing demands.
In her review of the Government Land Development Programme, Minister Al Rumaihi described it as a premier public-private partnership model in Bahrain. This programme optimizes government land use, allows developers to meet quality and sustainability standards, and reinforces the private sector's critical role in the housing sector.
On the meeting's sidelines, Minister Al Rumaihi met with Ana Claudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, discussing potential technical cooperation expansion between Bahrain and the program. They explored opportunities for capacity building, knowledge exchange, and initiatives supporting sustainable cities.
Minister Al Rumaihi also had discussions with Nga Kor Ming, Malaysia's Minister of Housing and Local Government, focusing on bilateral cooperation in housing and urban planning. They explored expertise exchange in housing programs, financing models, public-private partnerships, and digital transformation in government services.