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The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2016 – 2021 is a cross-sectoral document that updates the first NBSAP drafted in 2007. The Strategy is based on a long term Vision aiming to “Strive towards improving resilience of all four ecosystems (namely, Marine and coastal, Agriculture, Desert and Freshwater Springs) in the Kingdom and managing sustainably ecosystems services to ensure good quality of life for the Bahraini citizens by 2030”. It means that the biodiversity needs to be assessed, mapped and valued and its conservation integrated into national policies and accounted for in national budgeting by 2021, as indicated in the Mission. The Vision and Mission are supposed to be achieved through 5 Strategic Goals, targeting all aspects of biodiversity conservation: (i) strengthen the governance of biodiversity conservation in national development strategies; (ii) infuse biodiversity conservation in schools, universities curricula and develop outreach programs addressed to the general public; (iii) bridge the gaps between scientists, citizens and decision-makers by fostering innovation and research; (iv) strengthen existing ecological functioning systems and improve resilience of all ecosystems; and (v) foster international and regional cooperation. These 5 SGs are translated into 12 national targets, draw on emerging national needs, national priorities identified and conservation status of ecosystems and their habitats, regarding: (i) Marine and coastal ecosystems; (ii) Coral Reefs; (iii) Mangroves; (iv) Desert ecosystem; (v) Agriculture ecosystem and freshwater springs. In order to make agriculture, forestry and fisheries more productive and sustainable, the Strategy proposes the following targets: (i) protect an additional 10% of Bahrain’s territorial marine and coastal areas; (ii) reduce the number of bycatch from fishing by 10%; (iii) Protect no less than 25% of remaining unprotected coral reefs; (iv) raise awareness among 90% of key stakeholders and 50% of the general public; (v) revive agricultural land systems including Palm groves by 25%, (vi) decrease pest infestations in Palm grove by 100% and reduce other infestation; (vii) women empowerment in the agricultural sector. To increase the resilience of livelihoods to disasters, the Strategy provides for structural and other measures to re-evaluate desert ecosystems, such as: (i) improve seawater quality by 50% from wastewater and sewage discharge resulting from municipal treatment plants; (ii) increase green area in the Governorates by 50%; (iii) protect no less than 100% of healthy freshwater spring; (iv) protect at least 60% of remaining desert ecosystems and wildlife; (v) rehabilitate desert ecosystems for the promotion of eco-tourism by 17%. As for the governance, a good governance is expected among the guiding principles of the Strategy relating to: the process by which the concerned authorities in the country are selected, monitored and replaced and the capacity of the government to effectively manage its biodiversity and implement sound policies. To strengthen the governance of biodiversity conservation, the Strategy envisages the following actions: (i) mainstream biodiversity conservation into national development strategies; (ii) revise and update the existing laws and put in place effective mechanisms and tools for their implementation; (iii) encourage potential partnerships (PPPs among others) for resource mobilization for the implementation of the various actions of the revised NBSAP; and (iv) create Technical Teams (TTs) to provide the needed technical support for the implementation; and (v) introduce means of direct communications including seminars, workshops, round table discussions, educational courses, training addressed to government officials, and publication of relevant educational manuals.