Achievements led to His Highness Award

Bahrain has a long history of working with UN HABITAT and indeed the Arab Regional Conference of 'UN HABITAT was held in Bahrain in 2000.

Under the Governments of Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa there has been a strong
Willingness for Bahrain 'to address the UN millennium goals in relation to
shelter and welfare and to work closely with UN HABITAT in relation to the provision of shelter for the poor and disadvantaged through the
provision of environmentally sustainable settlements.

* Over the past year UN and HABITAT officials have liaised closely with their Bahraini counterparts to put together a pledge package to benefit not only Bahrain, but the wider Middle East region with special focus on the plight of the Palestinians.

Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka a Deputy UN Secretary General and Executive
Director of HABITAT and one of the most senior UN Officials visited Bahrain to see for herself the progress which has been made in addressing
UN millennium goals since her last visit here in 2000 particularly in relation to the overall socio-economic development and poverty reduction.
Mrs. Tibaijuka expressed her great satisfaction with the progress that she saw following extensive meetings with Shaikh Khalifa and ministers and
after making a number of Site visits.

In making the Award of a Special Citation to the Scroll of Honour - the world's foremost award for Human settlements - to Shaikh Khalifa, Mrs.
Tibaijuka welcomed the great leadership and vision that has been shown,
over a long period of time, by Shaikh Khalifa and his government in addressing the issues of shelter ad poverty alleviation for the most
disadvantaged members of Bahraini society.

Mrs. Tibaijuka praised Bahrain's modernization strategy because it was also sensitive lo the preservation of its cultural heritage through the
promotion of citizen's views in its decision making for the planning and
management of its urban and rural environment. The process of transition from a basically rural society to a modern, diversified society within the
short space of half a century is not an easy one.

Shailkh Khalifa has taken a very personal interest in all levels of planning with a particular focus on the uplifting of the people of Bahrain, at all levels of society so that people are not ''left behind'' and condemned to a
life of squalor and poverty. This has been an on-going project for Shaikh Khalifa for over 35 years, with a focus on economic renewal and poverty alleviation through the development of a diversified economy and the provision of jobs and income.

* This endeavor has helped provide jobs and opportunities to lift poorer citizens out of the poverty trap. I have seen that there have also
been direct programs of assistance through the building of whole 'villages for the poorer elements of society and assistance with all aspects of health education and welfare.

* The Award to Shaikh Khalifa is one for all Bahrainis to share because it
is a reflection of the community-based participatory approach in which there bas been wide consultation between the people and the Government about development goals and 'the need to assist the poorer and disadvantaged members of our society.

The Award also honors the Government and people of Bahrain for the manner in which they have worked together for the improvement of
human settlement.

The material on display here tonight has recently been exhibited at the
21st Meeting of UN Habitat in Nairobi. It provides a small insight into what we in Bahrain are doing to meet UN habitat's goals and shows why
the UN Habitat has decided to give its most prestigious award to Shaikh Khalifa for his vision, leadership and dynamism.

The booklet and DVD presentation which is part of the Exhibition provides further information both on the role played by Shaikh Khalifa in Bahrain's development and is also a window into what Bahrain has to offer.

It is a story that we are proud of and we hope that you all take the opportunity to wander through the Exhibition and read the publications
for together, they will give you an opportunity to see why Bahrain today is one of the leading and most progressive counties in the Middle East.

Shaikh Khalifa was unable to attend the UN Habitat meeting in Nairobi because of other matters of State. He will be presented with the Special
Citation at a ceremony in Geneva in July.