Manama:MP Hassan Ibrahim Hassan participated in a meeting of the Standing Committee on Sustainable Development during Bahrain's involvement in the 153rd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
According to Bahrain News Agency, MP Hassan emphasized Bahrain's national approach to linking development with sustainability and environmental protection under the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. This approach is supported by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, through the development of national policies on climate, energy, sustainability, and natural resource protection.
Bahrain's reliance on its marine and coastal resources as an island nation was highlighted as a key aspect of its environmental strategy. MP Hassan noted the legislative authority's role in creating legal frameworks and overseeing the implementation of policies that ensure a balance between economic development and environmental protection.
During the committee meeting, a resolution titled "Parliamentary leadership to protect mountain and ocean ecosystems and achieve the 30% conservation goal by 2030" was discussed. Elections for the Standing Committee were also conducted.
MP Hassan stated that while ecosystem protection is a global goal, it requires national legislative action to become enforceable. He highlighted the necessity of integrating international agreements into national legislation, public policies, budgets, and enforcement mechanisms.
Achieving the global goal of protecting 30% of terrestrial, marine, and coastal areas by 2030 requires parliaments to set up legal frameworks detailing the scope, regulations, responsible authorities, financing, outcome indicators, and penalties for non-compliance.