Bahrain Highlights Groundbreaking C-SIPA Agreement During High-Level Washington Panel

Bahrain’s Ambassador to the United States, Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Khalifa, placed a spotlight on one of the region’s most significant diplomatic milestones — the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA) — during a panel discussion in Washington, D.C. The event was hosted by Bahrain’s embassy in partnership with the Aspen Strategy Group.

Moderated by the Group’s Director, Mrs. Nifking, the discussion covered major regional developments, including outcomes from the Manama Dialogue and new investment opportunities unveiled at the Gateway Gulf Forum. But at the forefront of the conversation was C-SIPA, a treaty-level framework that is reshaping trilateral cooperation between Bahrain, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Shaikh Abdullah described C-SIPA as a first-of-its-kind agreement between the United States and an Arab nation, underscoring its historic significance. The treaty is built around three core pillars:
• Security cooperation to strengthen collective defense and stability,
• Economic partnership to unlock sustainable growth, and
• Technological resilience to support innovation and protect critical infrastructure.

Together, these pillars form what Shaikh Abdullah called a “long-term architecture for regional prosperity.” He stressed that multilateral collaboration must remain the foundation of this shared vision.

While highlighting Bahrain’s continued leadership in hosting the Manama Dialogue for over two decades, the Ambassador credited the Kingdom’s diplomatic approach to the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the guidance of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. He also pointed to strong U.S. participation in this year’s edition as proof of deepening strategic ties.

Addressing economic momentum in the region, Shaikh Abdullah noted that the Gateway Gulf Forum has emerged as a prime destination for global investors. This year alone, the forum announced more than 60 investments and strategic agreements worth over USD 17 billion, reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a gateway to the USD 2.3 trillion GCC market.

But it was C-SIPA that remained the central message: a transformative partnership shaping the future of security, economic opportunity, and technological collaboration across borders.