Fifth Manama Dialogue Conference starts today in Kingdom

Top policymakers from the Middle East and beyond will converge today on Bahrain for the 15th Manama Dialogue Conference to address the region’s most pressing security challenges. With special sessions on Cybersecurity, Security, conflict and stabilisation in the Middle East, the summit is jointly organised by Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).

The three-day summit, which continues until Sunday, in its opening session will have a discussion on “The New Geo-Economics of the Middle East” in Al Ghazal 1 Ballroom, The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain. According to summit agenda, the IISS and Sky News Arabia will jointly convene a special live televised of the opening panel to examine some of the key issues to be addressed at the IISS Manama Dialogue and subsequent implications for regional security.

The event will also see IISS bringing some of the brightest young strategic thinkers in the Middle East and North Africa, who will play a full part in the Dialogue debate. Regional young leaders from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE will participate. The initiative, according to IISS, will contribute to the development of a new generation of young leaders and strategic thinkers from the region.

“As their careers develop, they will help inform public sector and business policy-making in the Middle East, North Africa and internationally.” Speaking on the summit, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, took pride in the international reputation of the Middle East’s premier security summit. “Its status reflects the policy of Bahrain under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister,” the minister said.

Shaikh Khalid said the conference is an indication of the political leadership’s keenness to consolidate Bahrain’s relations with brotherly and friendly countries for a brighter and more prosperous future. The minister affirmed that the Dialogue has become a platform for top officials and experts from around the world to exchange their visions and ideas to seek durable solutions to issues and enhance the region’s security, stability and development.

Shaikh Khalid also commended the efforts of the International Institute for Strategic Studies and their cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in organising the Manama Dialogue. The ISS Manama Dialogue 2019, the minister said, will discuss a host of issues affecting the countries of the region and representing a source of concerns for all world countries to consolidate global peace and security.