Britain’s C-SIPA accession boosts regional security
Representatives from the Kingdom of Bahrain, the United Kingdom, and the United States convened yesterday for the annual meeting of the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA) Defence Working Group (DWG), hosted in Bahrain. The meeting was attended by His Highness Lieutenant General Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, National Security Advisor, Commander of the Royal Guard, and Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Defence of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The Defence Working Group (DWG) has officially welcomed the United Kingdom’s accession to the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA), marking a major milestone in strengthening regional security and promoting shared prosperity alongside Bahrain and the United States. The formal ceremony and meeting took place at the Royal Guard Headquarters under the leadership of His Highness Lieutenant General Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, National Security Advisor and Commander of the Royal Guard.
Describing the occasion as a “historic moment,” Shaikh Khalid bin Ali bin Jaber Al Khalifa, Deputy National Security Advisor and Deputy Secretary General of Bahrain’s Supreme Defence Council, told the Daily Tribune that the UK’s accession represents a strategic milestone—one that deepens defence cooperation while advancing economic resilience and technological progress. “Today marks the first time the United Kingdom joins Bahrain and the United States in this framework, reflecting our collective vision for a secure and prosperous region,” he said. “C-SIPA is comprehensive by design; it strengthens security cooperation while enhancing prosperity through innovation, digital infrastructure, and economic collaboration.”
During the meeting, member states reaffirmed their shared commitment under Article (2) of the agreement, emphasizing that any threat or aggression against one member’s sovereignty or territorial integrity would be regarded as a matter of serious concern by all. Discussions highlighted C-SIPA’s growing role as a platform for collective security, regional deterrence, and strategic cooperation, underscoring the need for stronger coordination to counter external threats and maintain global stability in support of peace and prosperity in the Gulf.
His Excellency Alistair Long, the British Ambassador to Bahrain, described the trilateral collaboration as a natural extension of the long-standing defence partnership between the three nations. “Practically, it doesn’t feel new,” he said. “Our naval bases operate side by side in Bahrain, but being in this framework gives structure and shared purpose to our cooperation.” Ambassador Long credited Bahrain and the United States for their vision in establishing C-SIPA, which, he noted, aligns with the UK’s belief that security and prosperity are interdependent. He added that the agreement reflects core UK values—building prosperity through security, upholding international norms, and advancing innovation within a rules-based, inclusive regional framework.
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