Bahrein VNR 2023

CHAPTER 4:

METHODOLOGY & STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

4

CHAPTER 4

METHODOLOGY & STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

Bahrain’s approach towards the VNR has been one of commitment, transparency and LQFOXVLYHQHVV UHÀHFWLQJ LWV KROLVWLF YLHZ WRZDUGV WKH 6'*V %XLOGLQJ RQ %DKUDLQ¶V ¿UVW 915 LQ DQ LQFOXVLYH SURFHVV RI GDWD collection and stakeholder engagement was NH\ WR FRPSUHKHQGLQJ SURJUHVV VLQFH

and a team of Bahraini researchers responsible for compiling and analyzing data for the review.

The VNR Taskforce met regularly to monitor the progress of the review. The Taskforce adhered to United Nation’s guidelines, namely the “Handbook For the Preparation of Voluntary National Reviews 2023,” with the UN Country Team working as a partner throughout. The Government teams also actively participated in the global and regional events, such as the UN Statistics 'LYLVLRQ ZHELQDU RQ HYLGHQFH EDVHG 915V ESCWA workshop on VNRs in the Arab Region, UNICEF webinar on child-inclusive VNRs and others.

The VNR is viewed as a valuable diagnostic tool by the Kingdom. Going forward, lessons learnt from the recommendations will be incorporated into the design of future plans, in line with the Government Plan direction; further accelerating progress towards the 2030 Agenda.

In addition, the VNR preparation process has been an effective tool to raise awareness within government entities and the wider SXEOLF DERXW WKH $JHQGD DQG 6'* implementation; helping promote active participation in the process and partnerships between key stakeholders.

7KH 0LQLVWU\ RI 6XVWDLQDEOH 'HYHORSPHQW coordinated the VNR Taskforce, consisting of a core team of civil servants with expertise in inter-agency projects and data gathering,

Bahrain Voluntary National Review 2023

49

CHAPTER 4: METHODOLOGY & STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

DATA COLLECTION

UHFRUGV RI WKH 6'* LQGLFDWRUV 7KH UHSRUWLQJ OHYHO IRU HDFK 6'* ZDV LPSDFWHG E\ WKH availability of valid and accurate data.

One of the challenges in implementing Agenda 2030 for many nations is the ability to collect data for the monitoring of progress. Through the National Committee for Information and Population, the Kingdom of Bahrain had responded to this challenge with a whole-of-government approach, whereby agencies are working together to bolster the quality, accuracy, relevance, and WLPHO\ QDWXUH RI GDWD 7KH ¿UVW VRXUFH RI data used for the VNR was the government’s GDWDEDVH RQ 6'* LQGLFDWRUV WKH 6'* 3RUWDO ,Q IROORZLQJ WKH ODXQFK RI WKH 6'*V DQG their formal integration into its action plan, Bahrain’s government established a unit within the Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA), Bahrain’s national statistics RI¿FH GHGLFDWHG WR JDWKHULQJ GDWD RQ 6'* LQGLFDWRUV ,Q IROORZLQJ WKH establishment of the Ministry of Sustainable 'HYHORSPHQW WKH 0LQLVWU\ VKDUHV WKH responsibility of monitoring the data with the L*$ ,Q DGGLWLRQ WR WKH 6'* 3RUWDO WKH 81¶V

On the quantitative data side, the Ministry RI 6XVWDLQDEOH 'HYHORSPHQW XQGHU WKH guidance of the National Committee for Information and Population, established DQ ³6'* ,QGLFDWRU 7DVNIRUFH´ WR UHJXODUO\ PRQLWRU DQG XSGDWH WKH 6'* LQGLFDWRU UHFRUGV 7KH PDQGDWH RI WKH 6'* ,QGLFDWRU Taskforce extends beyond the preparation of the VNR and aims to ensure accurate and timely information is consistently available to inform recommendations and decisions.

Government entities showed a high degree of ownership over the indicators, with each indicator assigned to a lead and supporting responsible entity. Based on the recommendation of the Ministry of 6XVWDLQDEOH 'HYHORSPHQW WKH 1DWLRQDO Committee for Information and Population has recently approved a plan that aims to: increase awareness among responsible HQWLWLHV RI WKH 6'* LQGLFDWRUV SURYLGH technical training to individuals monitoring the indicators within the responsible entities, improve the mechanism for the collection and review of the data, and ensure data is SHULRGLFDOO\ SXEOLVKHG RQ WKH 6'* 3RUWDO Furthermore, the Ministry of Sustainable 'HYHORSPHQW IDFLOLWDWHG WKH KRVWLQJ RI WZR ZRUNVKRSV E\ (6&:$ DQG 81 '(6$ WR provide technical support to the relevant teams.

public database was especially useful for the establishment of regional benchmarks.

7KH 0LQLVWU\ RI 6XVWDLQDEOH 'HYHORSPHQW actively sought both quantitative and qualitative data from government entities in an institutionalized manner. Entities were asked to submit information on the progress RQ WKH 6'*V UHOHYDQW WR WKHLU PDQGDWH WKH main challenges faced, the key plans to accelerate the progress as well as the latest

Bahrain Voluntary National Review 2023

50

CHAPTER 4: METHODOLOGY & STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

H.E. Noor bint Ali Al Khulaif Minister of Sustainable Development, along with Undersecretary for Political Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and UN Resident Coordinator in Bahrain, Khaled El Mekwad, during the opening of Bahrain’s Second National Voluntary Review workshop for Sustainable Development Goals

VNR WORKSHOPS AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT The Kingdom was keen for the VNR to UHÀHFW WKH VHQWLPHQWV RI SDUWQHUVKLS DQG to capture the experiences of the major groups and stakeholders, as their input is key in providing a holistic view of policies and initiatives to achieve sustainable development through its economic, social, and environmental dimensions.

IURP WKH JRYHUQPHQW VHFWRU ZLWK participants; civil society and NGOs, with 44 participants; academic and research institutions with 32 participants; the private VHFWRU ZLWK SDUWLFLSDQWV ZRPHQ ZLWK SDUWLFLSDQWV DQG \RXWK ZLWK SDUWLFLSDQWV Consultations were additionally held with the Legislative Authority, meeting with the Committee on Financial and Economic Affairs at the Council of Representatives and the Economic and Financial Affairs Committee at the Shura Council.

Six stakeholder consultation workshops ZHUH KHOG LQ HDUO\ ZLWK RYHU participants. This included representation

Bahrain Voluntary National Review 2023

51

CHAPTER 4: METHODOLOGY & STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

The consultation sessions focused on the following:

Overall Progress Achievement, plans and challenges across all 17 SDGs SDGs in Focus Deep dive on the 5 SDGs in focus during the 2023 HLPF

COVID-19 Pandemic Bahrain’s handling of the pandemic and the impact on sustainable development

2018 VNR Progress made in relation to the challenges highlighted in the 2018 VNR

Recommendations Bahrain’s handling of the pandemic and the impact on sustainable development

Governance Suggestions to accelerate the progress towards the achievements of the SDGs

Bahrain Voluntary National Review 2023

52