Kingdom Highlights Youth’s Role in Advancing Peace and Arab Unity
Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the King Hamad Global Centre for Coexistence and Tolerance (KHGC), participated in the second Arab Youth Leaders Forum held in Cairo under the theme “Generations Preserving the Unity of the Nation.”
The forum was organised by the Arab Youth Council for Integrated Development in cooperation with the League of Arab States and brought together officials, youth leaders and representatives of civil society institutions to discuss the role of young people in shaping a more stable and prosperous future for the Arab world.
During his address, Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed affirmed the Kingdom of Bahrain’s commitment, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and with the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to promoting the principles of coexistence, peace and dialogue, while preserving Arab identity and strengthening the contribution of youth to sustainable development and civilisational progress.
On the sidelines of the forum, Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed was awarded the Joint Arab Action Medal for Dialogue and Peaceful Coexistence in recognition of his efforts and contributions in advancing values of peace, tolerance and mutual understanding.
He described the honour as a reflection of His Majesty the King’s vision in promoting a global culture of peace, coexistence and interfaith and intercultural dialogue. He added that Bahrain’s initiatives in these areas have gained broad regional and international recognition.
Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed highlighted that the King Hamad Global Centre for Coexistence and Tolerance forms part of an integrated national project that places dialogue and peaceful coexistence at the heart of social harmony and human connection.
He referred to the Bahrain Declaration on religious freedom as an internationally recognised document that carries a message of peace and mutual respect, noting that Bahrain’s efforts have also been reflected in achieving a Guinness World Records title for the highest density of places of worship representing different religions and beliefs.
The minister also expressed Bahrain’s pride in its longstanding relations with the Arab Republic of Egypt and praised the country’s important role in supporting regional security and stability.
Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed emphasised that empowering young people remains a national priority, supported by government programmes and initiatives led by His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports.
He highlighted several Bahraini initiatives designed to develop youth capabilities, including the King Hamad Youth Empowerment Award to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, the Hope Network, and Youth City 2030, all of which reflect confidence in the creativity and potential of young people.
The minister stressed the importance of equipping youth with awareness, knowledge and a strong sense of responsibility to confront hate speech, intolerance and extremism, while benefiting from opportunities created by digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
He also referred to the initiative launched by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister calling for an international treaty to regulate the development of artificial intelligence and ensure that modern technologies contribute to sustainable development and global prosperity.
Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed noted that youth empowerment lies at the core of KHGC’s mission through national and international programmes, including the King Hamad Leadership in Coexistence Programme and the Postgraduate Diploma on Coexistence, which aim to prepare young people to serve as ambassadors of peace and dialogue.
These initiatives complement Bahrain’s broader international efforts, including the launch of the King Hamad Award for Coexistence and Tolerance and the United Nations General Assembly’s designation of the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence.
Concluding his remarks, Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed expressed the Centre’s aspiration to expand partnerships that strengthen the role of youth in promoting dialogue, peace and coexistence, contributing to a more secure, stable and prosperous future for the Arab world.
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