Draft law on International Date Observatory HQ set for review

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

The Shura Council will debate on Sunday a draft law approving an agreement between Bahrain and the International Date Council to establish the headquarters of the International Date Observatory in Bahrain, accompanying Decree No. 64 of 2025.

The agreement was signed in Manama on 22 September 2025 and would need to be enacted as a law to take effect in Bahrain, under Article 37 of the Constitution.

he bill is brief, consisting of a preamble and two articles. The first approves the agreement, while the second covers implementation.

Under the agreement, the Observatory’s permanent headquarters would be in Bahrain.

Powers

It would have legal personality and the power to enter into contracts, and to acquire, own and dispose of movable and immovable property, provided this does not conflict with Bahraini law.

The report said Bahrain would grant the facilities needed for the Observatory to carry out its work, which focuses on collecting, analysing and publishing data on the global dates market to support decision-making by the International Date Council’s member states.

The agreement also allows the Observatory, within its remit and in line with Bahraini law, to hold funds, open accounts in different currencies, and bring in money, securities and foreign currency or transfer them abroad in line with applicable rules.

Recommendations

The committee said the Observatory would be required to have regard to any observations and recommendations made by the Bahraini government when exercising those rights.

It said the Director of the International Date Council would submit to Bahrain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs a list of the names and addresses of the Observatory’s director and staff, and would notify the ministry of any changes.

The report said the agreement would not affect Bahrain’s right to take steps to protect security, safety and public order in emergency or exceptional circumstances.

Correspondence

It also requires the Observatory’s correspondence with government bodies in Bahrain to go through the Observatory’s director via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The committee said the remaining provisions set out an amicable settlement process for disputes over the agreement’s application or interpretation, as well as rules for amendment, entry into force, duration and termination, and the number of copies and the language of the text.