HRH Crown Prince Chairs Weekly Cabinet Meeting

Manama: His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on Monday chaired the weekly Cabinet meeting at Gudaibiya Palace.

The Cabinet commended the royal address delivered by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on the occasion of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s National Days, the 26th anniversary of His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne, and the accompanying national events. Ministers expressed their appreciation to Bahraini citizens and countries for the congratulatory messages and well wishes extended on the occasion.

The Cabinet highlighted the strength of fraternal relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It noted His Majesty the King’s directive to name Al Areen Wildlife Park after His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and the reciprocal gesture by His Highness to name a park in Abu Dhabi after His Majesty the King. The Cabinet also welcomed the celebrations held in the UAE marking Bahrain’s National Days.

In line with the Royal Directives to accelerate the delivery of 50,000 new housing units, His Royal Highness directed the provision of 7,000 housing services to coincide with the National Days, the 26th anniversary of His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne, and the accompanying national events. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning was tasked with taking the necessary executive measures to implement the directive.

The Cabinet noted the inauguration of the renovated Manama Municipality Building by His Royal Highness. The building was originally inaugurated in 1962 by the late His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

Ministers stressed the importance of continuing efforts to provide and further develop social services and support programmes for Bahraini citizens through the optimal use of national resources, in line with the Royal Directives, and ensuring citizens remain a priority in services and entitlements.

The Cabinet underscored the continuation of support for electricity and water services for Bahraini citizens in their first home, as well as strengthening programmes for low-income individuals to help improve living standards and increase income.

It also emphasised the need to support middle-income citizens and households by safeguarding and enhancing services, while expanding employment opportunities and prospects for all.

The Cabinet highlighted the critical importance of safeguarding public funds and preventing the excessive waste of resources, stressing that efficient and responsible spending is essential to serving the public interest and achieving intended objectives. Ministers further emphasised that social support must be directed to those most in need and not disproportionately consumed by higher-income groups.

The Cabinet conveyed its congratulations to all those celebrating Christmas in the Kingdom of Bahrain and abroad.

During the meeting, the Cabinet reviewed several memorandums submitted by ministerial committees and ministers and approved a number of measures. These included a draft resolution on civil aviation and air departure services to develop the passenger database and facilitate registration procedures, the restructuring of several government agencies to enhance performance and efficiency, a draft resolution on the Occupational Safety and Health Council, and Bahrain’s accession to Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), 1973. The Cabinet also approved reports submitted by the Education and Training Quality Authority.

Additionally, the Cabinet took note of ministerial reports on Bahrain’s participation in the 42nd session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Housing and Construction and the Arab Forum for Housing and Sustainable Urban Development, as well as the 45th session of the Arab Ministers of Social Affairs Council.