The Bahrain World Trade Center (BWTC) became a “Blue Monument” this weekend, as it lit up in blue in support of World Diabetes Day, which fell on November 14th. The BWTC joins over 800 other global landmarks from 160 countries, and was selected by the Bahrain Diabetes Society to represent the Kingdom in the global campaign, which is jointly organized by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). Alongside the lighting was a festival organized by the Bahrain Diabetes Association which was attended by Bahrain’s Minister of Health H.E. Dr. Faisal Al Hamar, and included activities and games for children, as well as a presentation from His Excellency.
The theme of this year’s World Diabetes Day campaign is Diabetes in Children and Adolescents, which is pertinent since diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood. It is estimated globally that 70,000 children under 15 develop diabetes each year (almost 200 children a day), with an estimated 440,000 children living with type 1 diabetes. Bahrain has a high incidence of diabetes affecting children and adults, and an alarming 185% increase of the disease in newborns has been seen over the past 10 years (in every 100,000 babies born the number affected has risen from 7 to 20).
In 2007, 279 landmark buildings across the globe – including New York’s Empire State Building, the London Eye, Japan’s Tokyo Tower, Dubai World Trade Center and the Kuwait Towers – lit up in blue (the colour of the United Nations flag) to signify the unity of the global diabetes community in response to the disease pandemic. The blue circle logo of World Diabetes Day was developed as part of the Unite for Diabetes awareness campaign, and symbolises life and health, together with the blue sky that unites all nations.
Mr. Bob Addison, Country Manager of DTZ (BWTC’s Managing and Leasing Agents) helped turn on the lights, and commented: “BWTC wanted to represent the Kingdom in World Diabetes Day’s global campaign in order to raise awareness of the high level of diabetes in our local society. We feel particularly strongly about this year’s theme of “Diabetes in Children and Adolescents”, since it is estimated by the Bahrain Diabetes Society that in the Kingdom 15,000 people are currently suffering from the disease.”
“As a landmark development for the Kingdom - and for the world in sustainable architecture - we hope that BWTC’s participation alongside such icons as the New York Empire State Building will not only promote awareness of diabetes, but also of Bahrain on the international stage.”
World Diabetes Day (WDD) is the primary global awareness campaign for the disease. It was introduced in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in response to the alarming rise in diabetes around the world. In 2007, the United Nations marked the Day for the first time with the passage of the United Nations World Diabetes Day Resolution in December 2006, which made the existing World Diabetes Day an official United Nations World Health Day. Many activities are taking place on a global level in addition to the Blue Monument campaign, details of which can be found on www.worlddiabetesday.org. Residents of Bahrain can find out more about local activities by contacting Dr. Mariam Al Harmas, Vice President of the Bahrain Diabetes Association.
About Bahrain World Trade Center
Situated on the Manama waterfront and in the heart of the region’s leading financial and business hub, the Bahrain World Trade Center (BWTC) project comprises the two 50-storey sail shaped twin office towers, the five-star Sheraton Hotel as well as MODA Mall, Bahrain’s only ultra high-end shopping destination, featuring some 160 luxury retail outlets as well as a host of modern cafes and exciting fine dining eateries.
The BWTC provides leading regional and international organizations with a world-class business address. The buildings are highly advanced in design and operation and are the Kingdom’s first intelligent offices, employing the latest SMART systems capable of delivering unsurpassed security and maximum competitive advantages and efficiency in office management. In addition, they are the first of their kind in the world, using wind energy to provide 11 – 15% of the electricity needs of the office towers.
Other benefits enjoyed by local and international businesses occupying space at the development is membership to the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA). Locating at the BWTC offers an exceptional opportunity for connectivity with the global business community. With more than 300 centers in 100 countries, WTCA has a membership of approximately 750,000 commercial enterprises worldwide.
