Friendly Nations’ Diplomats Explore Manama Municipality

H.E. Eng. Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, Minister of Municipalities and Agriculture Affairs, received ambassadors from friendly nations at the Manama Municipality building, in the presence of several officials. The visit was part of the introductory tours organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for members of the diplomatic corps to explore the municipal exhibition and learn about the history of municipal work in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

At the start of the meeting, the Minister warmly welcomed the ambassadors, emphasizing Bahrain’s commitment to strengthening friendships and cooperation with friendly and sister nations. He highlighted the ongoing coordination and collaboration in various fields.

The Minister pointed out that the paths of development and modernization in municipal work are part of the comprehensive national development journey led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and guided by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, emphasizing the leadership’s vision for progress.

H.E. Al Mubarak also highlighted Bahrain’s long-standing municipal legacy, which dates back over a century to the establishment of Manama Municipality in 1919 during the reign of the late His Highness Isa Al-Kabeer, the founder of modern Bahrain and a pioneer of institutional development. He noted that the rehabilitation of the Manama Municipality building, inaugurated in 1962 during the reign of the late Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, reflects Bahrain’s dedication to preserving its institutional and historical heritage.

During the visit, the ambassadors toured the municipality building to learn about its functions, major milestones, and achievements in municipal service development and infrastructure enhancement. The visit also included the municipal exhibition, which documents the historical journey of municipal work in Bahrain over the decades.

The visiting ambassadors expressed appreciation for the warm reception and praised the exhibition for its rich historical content, reflecting the depth of Bahrain’s institutional experience and cultural heritage. They emphasized the importance of such visits in strengthening communication and cooperation.

The tour saw active engagement from the ambassadors. The German ambassador showed particular interest in the historic municipal building clock, made in Germany in the 1960s, appreciating its artistic and historical significance. The Italian ambassador admired the exhibition design by an Italian artist, highlighting the artistic touches that emphasize the cultural dimension of Bahrain’s municipal experience.

The ambassadors also appreciated the historical aspects of the building and the exhibition’s heritage content, praising the restoration efforts that revived the original materials, colors, and architectural details of the municipality building.