300 delegates from over 40 countries arrive for Manama Dialogue

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Over 300 in-person delegates, including ministers, national security advisors, and intelligence chiefs from over 40 countries, are participating in the annual forum, which began yesterday at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay.

On behalf of HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, inaugurated the 17th edition of the Manama Dialogue.

Shaikh Mohammed stressed that international strategic coordination is the way to further development, strengthen security and stability, and combat terrorism and extremism.

The event is an opportunity for policymakers and thought leaders from across the Middle East, North America, Europe, Africa and Asia to find answers to the pressing policy issues of the region. In its previous edition held last December in 2020, the dialogue was limited to virtual participation.

However, this year, Dr John Chipman, the Director-General and Chief Executive of IISS, said, “the dialogue is back almost to full strength, “thanks to the professionalism with which the Kingdom of Bahrain has executed its strategy.” The theme of the discussion this year is “Multilateralism and the Middle East”.

It aligns with Bahrain’s efforts to promote dialogue and enhance security and stability throughout the region and beyond. Dr Chipman thanked His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman for their professionalism and determination in managing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This determination is “allowing the Kingdom to host such a large in-person gathering like the IISS Manama dialogue once again”. The dialogue, which continues until Sunday, began with delegates taking part in the opening dinner. In his opening address, Dr Chipman drew attention to several pressing issues facing the Middle East.

“The states from the US to Europe to the Gulf are tired of the military intervention and in some cases exit strategies that focus on exit rather than strategy,” he pointed out. Speakers this year include Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Saudi Arabia, Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, Senior Minister and Minister of Defence, Malaysia, Stephen Lovegrove National Security Lovegrove, UK, Dr Nayef Al Hajraf, the Secretary-General, Gulf Cooperation Council, Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bahrain, Lieutenant General (Retd) Prabowo Subianto, the Minister of Defence, Indonesia and others.