UNDP in the Kingdom of Bahrain

The UNDP has been a partner and friend of the Kingdom of Bahrain and its people since 1971 when it supported the independence of Bahrain. Since the opening of its offices and the signing of the Basic Agreement Document between the government and UNDP in 1978, UNDP has  promoted and implemented sustainable human development strategies and programmes based on national priorities in line with the Kingdom’s reform agenda, the Economic Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy (2023-2026).

The Kingdom of Bahrain is a Net Contributor Country (NCC), and as such bears the cost of UNDP’s presence and work in the country. UNDP recognises that the Government of Bahrain is primarily responsible for the national development agenda. The current Country Programme Document (2025-2029), and Project Documents were designed in partnership with state institutions, responding to deliver on key priority areas.

Bahrain demonstrates a strong commitment to human development and is signatory to a number of UN conventions, demonstrating the Kingdom’s commitment to international norms and UN principles. 

Through comprehensive consultations and dialogue with government institutions, development needs are identified and strong partnerships are built to address those needs and meet SDG targets.  Whether through developing human capacities at these institutions, or partnering to resolve a challenge, national ownership and leadership in all efforts is a key principle. UNDP also provides individual and institutional capacity development where needed, positioning national institutions to be in the leadership role. 

How we work and what we want to accomplish?

UNDP Bahrain’s current Country Programme Document (CPD) 2025–2029 aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2025–2029, Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030, and the Government Action Plan 2023–2026. The Programme builds on longstanding cooperation with national institutions and reflects Bahrain’s aspirations for sustainable, inclusive, resilient, and knowledge-driven development. UNDP works in close partnership with the Government of Bahrain, the UN Resident Coordinator Office, and the wider UN Country Team to advance progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.

Programmatic focus 

Under this CPD, UNDP Bahrain supports national efforts across three interconnected priority areas:

• Advancing sustainable livelihoods, economic diversification, and inclusive human development, with a focus on private-sector engagement, digital transformation, employment pathways for youth and women, and strengthening human capital.
• Enhancing governance, institutional effectiveness, including improved legislative and policy frameworks, strengthened access to justice, enhanced civic participation, and expanded institutional capacities for transparency, accountability, and service delivery.
• Promoting climate resilience, environmental sustainability, and green growth, including nature-based solutions, biodiversity protection, disaster risk reduction, low-carbon pathways, and improved water and energy efficiency.  

How we work 

UNDP’s work in Bahrain is guided by key principles:

• National ownership and leadership, ensuring development is driven by and for the people of Bahrain.
• Inclusivity and “leave no one behind”, supporting equitable access to opportunities for all segments of society, particularly youth and women.
• Sustainability and resilience, integrating climate considerations, digital transformation, and innovation into all programmes.
• Partnership and alignment, working closely with UN agencies, government partners, the private sector, academia, and civil society to ensure policy coherence and maximize impact. 

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach that encourages experimentation, systems thinking, and innovative solutions, enabling integrated support across governance, social development, economic transformation, and environmental sustainability.  

Strengthening institutions, governance, and public-sector effectiveness

UNDP continues to support national institutions in enhancing governance systems, evidence-based policymaking, and service delivery. This includes work with legislative bodies, oversight entities, justice-sector institutions, and public administration systems to strengthen transparency, accountability, and citizen-centered governance. Support focuses on improved strategic planning, digital public administration, institutional capacities for policy design, and mechanisms that widen participation and ensure no one is left behind.  

Advancing gender equality and empowering women and youth

Building on long-standing cooperation with the Supreme Council for Women, UNDP supports policies and institutional mechanisms that advance gender-responsive planning, leadership pathways for women, and equal economic opportunities. Efforts also strengthen youth engagement through skills development, employment pathways, and initiatives that enable young people to contribute to innovation, entrepreneurship, and national development.  

Driving sustainable economic growth and human development

UNDP works with national partners to support economic diversification, human-capital development, and private-sector engagement. This includes strengthening data systems, supporting evidence-driven social policies, promoting digital transformation, and identifying future-skills needs aligned with Bahrain’s labor-market priorities. Partnerships with government entities, academia, and the private sector help create more inclusive, knowledge-based, and opportunity-rich economic pathways.  

Promoting environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and green transition

UNDP is supporting Bahrain in strengthening environmental governance, biodiversity protection, nature-based solutions, and climate adaptation planning. Joint work with national institutions helps address water scarcity, energy efficiency, air quality, and coastal and marine ecosystem management. This includes improving national climate data, enhancing early-warning and disaster-risk management capacities, and advancing low-carbon development in line with Bahrain’s climate commitments.  

Supporting digital transformation and innovation for development

UNDP works with government partners to foster digital innovation, strengthen digital public services, and enable data-driven planning. This includes initiatives that enhance digital skills, improve institutional readiness for emerging technologies, and support innovation ecosystems that enable smarter, more efficient, and inclusive solutions for public administration and economic development.  

Strengthening partnerships for inclusive and sustainable development

UNDP collaborates closely with UN agencies, government entities, civil society, academia, and the private sector to deliver integrated, cross-sectoral development solutions. Through the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and national coordination platforms, UNDP supports a coherent, whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Bahrain. 
 

 

Get in touch
 

For general enquiries, partnerships or more information about UNDP Bahrain, please visit our Contact Us page.