Unlocking Bahrain’s Youth Potential

TDT | Manama

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Minister of Youth Affairs Rawan bint Najeeb Tawfeeqi participated in a main dialogue session titled “The Youth Dividend” at Brain Bar 2026, highlighting Bahrain’s experience in youth empowerment and the importance of international cooperation in developing innovative and sustainable solutions.

The minister said Bahrain, under the comprehensive development process led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, places youth among its key development priorities.

She said investing in young people means expanding their participation, developing their capabilities and empowering them to turn their ideas and ambitions into initiatives and opportunities.

Minister Tawfeeqi noted that Bahrain’s focus on youth is supported by a longstanding institutional approach, including the establishment of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS) in 1975. She said this reflected Bahrain’s early commitment to creating institutions focused on developing young people’s capabilities and strengthening their contribution to national development.

She also highlighted the transformation of youth work in Bahrain, noting that the Ministry of Youth Affairs has increasingly focused on developing policies, strategic directions and frameworks supporting the youth sector, while strengthening the role of youth organisations and initiatives in implementing and developing programmes and projects.

According to the minister, Bahrain’s youth ecosystem currently includes 38 youth empowerment centres, 27 youth organisations and associations, and three model youth centres, reaching more than 130,000 young people annually.

Tawfeeqi also highlighted Youth City 2030 as a leading national platform for developing young people’s skills and experiences. Its 15th edition attracted 10,547 young people through 343 programmes, providing more than 15,000 training opportunities.

She said the value of such programmes extends beyond participation, as they help turn skills into career paths, ideas into projects and businesses, talent into innovation and confidence into leadership.

The minister added that rapid global changes driven by technology and new ideas are creating new opportunities for young people to learn, innovate and develop new ventures. She stressed the importance of identifying and developing youth talent and potential to achieve meaningful impact.

Tawfeeqi also highlighted the Hope Network, launched from Bahrain in 2024 to connect countries and institutions and facilitate the exchange of ideas, expertise and solutions in youth empowerment. The network now has 52 members, she said.

She added that Bahrain aims to continue supporting promising youth initiatives such as Brain Bar, strengthening the exchange of expertise and creating new opportunities for cooperation in youth empowerment.

The session concluded with an interactive discussion between the minister and participants on challenges facing young people, ways to strengthen their role in shaping the future and approaches to harnessing their capabilities.