Bahrain Leads Arab Research Drive for Sustainable Development

Preparations are underway for the seventh annual forum of the Bahrain Center for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat), scheduled for December 22 and 23 under the theme “The Arab Research Centers Cluster for Sustainability and Development.” Organised in partnership with the General Secretariat of the Arab League, the forum will bring together senior representatives from Arab states alongside leading regional think tanks and research institutions.

This year’s edition coincides with a significant scholarly milestone marked by the launch of the documentary book “Bahrain and the League of Arab States: 1971–2025.” The publication will be unveiled during an official ceremony attended by the Secretary-General of the Arab League and a high-level delegation, in addition to ambassadors, officials, representatives of national institutions, research centres and media outlets.

Abdullah Mohammed Al Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of Derasat, said the forum reflects Bahrain’s leading role in advancing knowledge and scientific research as foundations for effective and realistic development policies aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. He noted that the initiative supports Bahrain’s commitment to strengthening constructive intellectual dialogue and Arab research integration, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the government led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

Al Ahmed expressed pride in launching the documentary book on the sidelines of the forum, describing it as an academic record of Bahrain’s distinguished journey within the Arab League. The publication documents more than five decades of Bahrain’s contributions to joint Arab action and its role in supporting Arab states and institutions in ways that serve shared developmental and strategic interests.

He explained that the forum’s theme aligns with the outcomes of recent Arab summits, particularly the Jeddah Summit in 2023 and the Bahrain Summit in 2024, which called for the establishment of an Arab intellectual platform focused on development and sustainability. These summits also stressed expanding cooperation with the United Nations system and developing knowledge-based approaches that support decision-makers in addressing regional and global challenges.

The seventh Derasat Forum will feature high-level dialogue sessions, closed workshops and a specialised exhibition of research and digital publications. Discussions will focus on the evolving role of Arab think tanks in moving from knowledge production to direct policy impact, enhancing institutional tools and transforming research outputs into practical contributions to sustainable development.

The forum will also highlight future-oriented policy analysis tools, including applications of big data, artificial intelligence and scenario planning, while exploring ways to build new analytical capacities within Arab think tanks to strengthen institutional performance and accelerate development outcomes.

Al Ahmed concluded that the forum represents a strategic opportunity to exchange expertise and expand Arab research cooperation, paving the way for launching a regional intellectual and development incubator that enhances collective responses to development challenges and strengthens knowledge integration across Arab research institutions.