The Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, incollaboration with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)in Bahrain, launched a national campaign to raise awareness of the importanceof nature and promoting green spaces across the Kingdom.

 The campaign, titled Buthoor Al Bahrain (Seeds ofBahrain), is part of the Building Smart, Green, and Sustainable Cities project,conducted in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) andother local entities.

The launch coincides with Urban October, a globalcelebration aimed at fostering better urban future. The initiative includes theintroduction of the Buthoor Al Bahrain digital platform, where residents cansuggest tree-planting locations, and the Mobile Seeds truck, which willdistribute trees and engage with communities across Bahrain.

On this occasion, Waleed bin Nasser Al Mubarak, Minister ofMunicipalities Affairs and Agriculture, emphasised the campaign’s alignmentwith Bahrain's national afforestation plan, aiming to plant 3.6 million treesby 2035. He also highlighted the strong partnership between Bahrain and theUnited Nations in advancing sustainable development.

Khaled El Mekwad, UN Resident Coordinator, commended thecooperation, noting the campaign’s role in promoting sustainable developmentgoals, particularly environmental preservation.

Shaikha Maram bint Isa Al Khalifa, Secretary General of theNational Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD), underscored theinitiative’s support for increasing Bahrain's green coverage. She highlightedthe contributions from the public and private sectors, as well as internationalorganisations, in achieving the objectives of the national afforestation plan.

Shaikha Maram bint Isa expressed her hope that the campaignwould further raise awareness of the importance of tree planting incontributing to sustainable development goals.

Dr. Fernanda Lonardoni, Head of the Un-Habitat CountryProgramme in Bahrain, highlighted the environmental and psychological benefitsof green spaces, adding that the campaign would help create a balanced, healthyurban environment.