Manama, 3 November 2017 –The President of the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Miroslav Lajčák, left Bahrain today and traveled to the United Arab Emirates.

While in Bahrain, on 2 November, he addressed the World Entrepreneurs Investment Forum. The theme of that meeting, which was organized by the Government of Bahrain in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), was “Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through Promoting Entrepreneurship and Innovation”.

Speaking during the closing segment, the President called the forum a unique opportunity to forge partnerships, exchange best practices and explore ways to mobilize funds to meet the SDGs. He added, “The growth we need will not come solely from Government policies. Instead, we need to harness the financial and productive capacity of other stakeholders such as the private sector … By drawing on all viable sources we can begin to build a more adequately financed response to the global challenges which the SDGs are seeking to address.”

Also on 2 November, the President met with Bahraini officials, including H.M. King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa; the country’s Deputy Prime Ministers, H.H. Shaikh Mohammed Bin Mubarak Al Khalifa‪ and H.E. Shaikh Khalid Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa; and the Foreign Minister, H.E. Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohamed Al Khalifa. The topics of those meetings ranged from regional developments to women’s empowerment to educational and economic opportunities for youth.

During his visit, the President spoke to government officials, diplomats and civil society at the International Peace Institute on how the United Nations is working to deliver for people, and he visited the Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa Center for Culture and Research in Muharraq.

Upon his arrival to Bahrain, on 1 November, the President witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between H.E. Ms. Reem Al-Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates, and UNIDO Deputy Director-General Hiroshi Kuniyoshi. By the terms of that agreement, the World Entrepreneurs Investment Forum will be held in Dubai in 2020. At the ceremony, the President said that he was encouraged by the Gulf region’s clear commitment to achieving the SDGs through entrepreneurship and innovation.

In Bahrain, the President was accompanied by his Special Assistant and Political Coordinator, Lenka Miháliková; his Senior Adviser, Abdelghani Merabet; and his Spokesperson, Brenden Varma. Travel costs were covered by the United Nations regular budget.

In the United Arab Emirates, the President will attend the Bani Yas Forum, which brings together international officials for discussions on global and regional affairs, from 3 to 5 November. He is also expected to hold a bilateral meeting with the Emirati Foreign Minister.

In the United Arab Emirates, the President is accompanied by Mr. Merabet, and the travel costs for both individuals — from Bahrain to the United Arab Emirates and from the United Arab Emirates to New York — are being covered by the Government of the United Arab Emirates.

The President expects to return to New York on 6 November.

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For media inquiries, please contact Brenden Varma, Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly, 1-347-556-3433, varmab@un.org.