The Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, in collaboration with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) in Bahrain, launched a national campaign to raise awareness of the importance of nature and promoting green spaces across the Kingdom.
The campaign, titled Buthoor Al Bahrain (Seeds of Bahrain), is part of the Building Smart, Green, and Sustainable Cities project, conducted in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and other local entities.
The launch coincides with Urban October, a global celebration aimed at fostering better urban future. The initiative includes the introduction of the Buthoor Al Bahrain digital platform, where residents can suggest tree-planting locations, and the Mobile Seeds truck, which will distribute trees and engage with communities across Bahrain.
On this occasion, Waleed bin Nasser Al Mubarak, Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, emphasised the campaign’s alignment with Bahrain’s national afforestation plan, aiming to plant 3.6 million trees by 2035. He also highlighted the strong partnership between Bahrain and the United Nations in advancing sustainable development.
Khaled El Mekwad, UN Resident Coordinator, commended the cooperation, noting the campaign’s role in promoting sustainable development goals, particularly environmental preservation.
Shaikha Maram bint Isa Al Khalifa, Secretary General of the National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD), underscored the initiative’s support for increasing Bahrain’s green coverage. She highlighted the contributions from the public and private sectors, as well as international organisations, in achieving the objectives of the national afforestation plan.
Shaikha Maram bint Isa expressed her hope that the campaign would further raise awareness of the importance of tree planting in contributing to sustainable development goals.
Dr. Fernanda Lonardoni, Head of the Un-Habitat Country Programme in Bahrain, highlighted the environmental and psychological benefits of green spaces, adding that the campaign would help create a balanced, healthy urban environment.