Day: September 21, 2024

Manama, Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence, highlighted Bahrain’s pivotal role in promoting peace and tolerance, stressing that the royal vision paves the way for achieving sustainable and comprehensive peace.

In an interview with Bahrain News Agency (BNA) on the occasion of International Peace Day, observed annually on September 21, Dr. Shaikh Abdullah emphasised Bahrain’s ongoing commitment to fostering dialogue between cultures and religions and pointed out the critical role of education and training in advancing peace. He also mentioned that International Peace Day serves as a global reminder to promote shared human values and mutual understanding between nations.

Bahrain’s leadership in global peace efforts

Bahrain’s approach to peace, as championed by its leadership, has always centred on advancing societies through dialogue and tolerance. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah referred to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al
Khalifa’s assertion that “Faith lights our path to peace,” illustrating Bahrain’s commitment to being a homeland of coexistence and a hub for cultural convergence.

He added that His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has further strengthened this commitment by directing the implementation of programmes aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030. These efforts are bolstered by strategic partnerships with nations around the world, reinforcing Bahrain’s role in advancing global peace through balanced diplomacy and constructive dialogue.

King Hamad’s global initiatives for peace

Dr. Shaikh Abdullah said that His Majesty King Hamad has been a keen advocate of promoting peace. He pointed that His Majesty’s leadership has brought forward numerous initiatives aimed at sustaining global harmony, including the Bahrain Declaration and the establishment of the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence. Other key efforts include the King Hamad Cha
ir for Interfaith Dialogue and Peaceful Coexistence at Sapienza University in Italy, the call for an international treaty to criminalise hate speech, and the creation of the King Hamad Award for Peaceful Coexistence.

These initiatives, said Dr. Shaikh Abdullah, demonstrate Bahrain’s commitment to spreading tolerance and addressing global challenges through dialogue and collaboration. The King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence continues to advocate for these values, promoting Bahrain’s model of coexistence worldwide.

On the King Hamad Award for Peaceful Coexistence, Dr. Shaikh Abdullah said it is a pioneering global initiative that embodies the royal vision on supporting dialogue and openness between religions and cultures, encouraging individuals and organisations to enhance their efforts and achievements in promoting peace and coexistence.

He explained Board of Trustees of the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence oversees the general policy of the award to ensure it reflects Bahrai
n’s rich cultural heritage in fostering human harmony and achieving global peace.

Recognising the unprecedented nature of the award, he said that comprehensive measures have been put in place to ensure its leadership and sustainability, establishing it as a unique global reference for upholding noble values.

Strategic focus of the King Hamad Global Centre

Dr. Shaikh Abdullah discussed the centre’s strategic priorities, noting that since its restructuring by royal decree, urgent steps have been taken to redefine its mission and build a comprehensive work plan. The centre’s focus includes preventive diplomacy, education, training, and addressing environmental issues, with the aim of building global networks with leading institutions to further these goals.

He also expressed the centre’s aspiration to become a global leader in promoting religious freedom and combating intolerance and racism. Through these efforts, the centre seeks to counter misconceptions about Islam and establish itself as a symbol of peac
eful coexistence.

Promoting peace through education and training

Dr. Shaikh Abdullah emphasised that education and training are at the core of the centre’s mission, as they help foster understanding and equip younger generations with the skills needed for conflict resolution. The centre has signed agreements with prominent institutions, including the Faith in Leadership organisation and the 1928 Institute at the University of Oxford, to launch the King Hamad Leadership in Peaceful Coexistence Programme. This initiative provides training on conflict mediation and negotiation skills, aimed at instilling peaceful values in youth.

In addition, the centre has launched a postgraduate diploma programme on peaceful coexistence in cooperation with the United Nations University for Peace and the Giovanni Goria Foundation for Higher Education in Malta. The programme aims to build capacity and develop research tools to promote peace and human solidarity.

A global message of peace

The International Day of Peace, acco
rding to Dr. Shaikh Abdullah, serves as a reminder of the critical importance of peace as the foundation of stability and development. He noted that the world continues to grapple with conflicts, humanitarian crises, and environmental challenges, but there remains hope in collective human efforts to achieve comprehensive and just peace. He also emphasised that religious platforms, along with media and communication channels, play a vital role in advocating for moderation and fraternity, and in distancing communities from hate speech.

He underscored that Bahrain, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad, will continue to advocate for global peace, and remains committed to fostering an environment of solidarity and compassion.

Manama, Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh, Chairman of the Shura Council, commended His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s commitment to fostering a culture of peace and coexistence among nations. He emphasised the significance of this approach in achieving sustainable development goals.

On the occasion of the International Day of Peace, marked annually on September 21 under the theme ” Cultivating a Culture of Peace,” Al Saleh stressed that Bahrain, under the visionary leadership of His Majesty, embodies the highest human values by promoting cooperation and solidarity among nations. Al Saleh highlighted the efforts to instil peace as an integral value for future generations, expressing pride in HM the King’s global peace initiatives, including the establishment of the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence and the King Hamad Award for Peaceful Coexistence.

Al Saleh further noted that HM the King’s support for interfaith and intercultural dialogue reflects a strategic vision that deepens human achievem
ents and strengthens the values of coexistence, tolerance, and fraternity.

He added that Bahrain continues to play a pivotal role regionally and internationally in supporting peace and dialogue, positioning itself as a model for peaceful coexistence. Al Saleh commended His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for his leadership in advancing Bahrain’s efforts to promote interfaith and intercultural dialogue.

The Chairman also commended the government’s efforts, led by HRH the Crown Prince in realising HM the King’s vision of promoting peace and coexistence, which contributes to sustainable development for nations and peoples.

Moscow, Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa, Capital Governor, met Sergey Cheremin, Moscow Government Minister and Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations, during his visit to Moscow to attend the “BRICS Cities’ Future” forum. The meeting was also attended by Dr. George Al Zuraikat, Chairman of the Bahraini-Russian Friendship and Business Society.

The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation and exploring joint initiatives across various sectors. Shaikh Rashid emphasised the value of learning from advanced experiences and enhancing coordination to bolster bilateral efforts.

Additionally, Shaikh Rashid visited the Skolkovo Innovation Centre, where he viewed the state-of-the-art infrastructure supporting technologies in energy, biomedicine, and space. The centre’s programmes promote entrepreneurship and the development of advanced technologies, connecting its members with global partners to expand innovative projects.

New York, Rawan bint Najeeb Tawfiqi, Minister of Youth Affairs, participated as a keynote speaker at the Summit of the Future Action Day, #Youthlead for the Future, held at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The event, organised by the UN Youth Office, included a session titled “Intergenerational Solidarity and Equity for a Shared Future.”

Tawfiqi emphasised Bahrain’s strong trust in its youth, noting the kingdom’s commitment to empowering young people across various sectors, recognising their pivotal role in shaping the future. She explained that Bahrain has formalised its approach to youth engagement through pioneering initiatives that enhance their global competitiveness and develop their capabilities. These efforts align with the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who views youth as the country’s true wealth and emphasises investing in their potential. The government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, also gi
ves priority to youth empowerment as a key element driving sustainable development.

In her remarks, Tawfiqi reflected on Bahrain’s longstanding focus on youth development, noting that the kingdom institutionalised youth work nearly 50 years ago with the establishment of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports in 1975. This milestone shaped Bahrain’s data driven strategic approach to youth participation and development, guided by principles of commitment to the present and hope for the future.

The minister highlighted Bahrain’s efforts to enhance youth competitiveness, foster confidence, and support the realisation of their potential. National initiatives have created a environment in which youth feel supported, heard, and encouraged to participate actively. The Ministry of Youth Affairs plays a key role in identifying and nurturing young Bahraini talent, focusing on creativity and innovation.

Tawfiqi provided examples of Bahrain’s support for the youth sector, such as policy changes that lowered the minim
um age for business ownership to 18 and enabled young people to lead community associations. She also mentioned the establishment of a national committee to oversee youth policies in both the public and private sectors.

The Ministry has shifted its role from direct programme delivery to regulation and oversight, supporting national youth institutions. Key programmes focus on outstanding youth, experiential learning, and global exchange opportunities, she said.

Continuous training remains an essential part of Bahrain’s youth development strategy, she noted.

Manama, Shaikh Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa, the Interior Ministry Undersecretary for Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA) and Head of Maan (together) programme against violence and addiction, received the first study conducted jointly between Maan Regional Centre for Research and Training and the University of North Carolina.

He received the study from Professor David Werk, the university’s Director of the Research Center.

Shaikh Hisham was briefed about the new curricula approved by Maan’s specialised team, including cybersecurity and children’s cyberspace protection, to enhance security awareness among children and youth and protect them from risks.

He hailed the team’s efforts in drafting the curricula based on a precise scientific approach to protecting and enhancing the community’s awareness of new risks facing children. He highlighted the follow-up of General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Interior Minister, of Maan’s programmes and activities.

Shaikh Hisham bin Abdulrah
man also thanked all the programme teams.

For his part, Professor Werk, praised the initial results that came in line with the objectives of implementing the curricula. He stressed the effectiveness of the curricula and the possibility of generalising them among other states.

New York, Rawan bint Najeeb Tawfiqi, Minister of Youth Affairs, met with Felipe Paullier, Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs at UN, on the sidelines of the Summit of the Future.

The minister emphasised the importance of Bahrain’s partnership with the UN in various fields, particularly youth development. She highlighted that this collaboration has resulted in successful initiatives that have enhanced the skills and abilities of Bahraini youth, supported their projects, and provided them with the training and expertise needed to develop future leaders.

Tawfiqi also called for expanded cooperation in the youth sector, aiming to build on previous successes and protect the achievements made by young Bahrainis. She affirmed the ministry’s commitment to working closely with relevant UN agencies to benefit from their expertise in empowering and advancing youth.

The meeting further explored opportunities to strengthen collaboration, particularly in increasing youth engagement in national programmes, supp
orting their initiatives, and enabling their role in shaping the future.

Paullier commended Bahrain’s youth initiatives and their role in the Kingdom’s development. He expressed the UN’s commitment to working with the Ministry of Youth Affairs to achieve mutual goals and enhance cooperation.

Manama, The ITU Digital Skills Forum, organised by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has concluded today.

The forum focused on developing digital skills worldwide and attracted key industry leaders, experts, and government officials.

It also featured discussions on important topics such as digital transformation, the skills gap in the global digital economy, and strategies for establishing national frameworks to enhance digital skills.

In his speech, Philip Marnick, TRA General Director, affirmed Bahrain’s commitment to maintaining advancement in the digital sector. He emphasised the Kingdom’s role in driving this global initiative, noting that the ideas generated and partnerships formed during the forum will play a crucial role in addressing the digital skills gap worldwide.

Marnick commended Bahrain’s position as a leader in digital skills development and noted that the success of the forum further solidified the country’s position as a key player in the region’s digital progress.

He ad
ded that Bahrain’s engagement in hosting and participating in such events underscores its commitment to shaping the future of the digital landscape, ensuring inclusivity and equal access to the benefits of technological advancements.

Manama, The Customs Affairs and the King Fahad Causeway General Organisation have signed an agreement to promote cooperation and enhance customers’ experience.

Shaikh Ahmed bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the President of Customs and Deputy Chairman of the organisation, affirmed Customs Affairs’ commitment to providing the best customs solutions and practices. He said the agreement aims to provide the latest services and simplify customs procedures for all parties to enhance performance and beneficiaries’ experiences.

The agreement covered cooperation and providing the best high-quality services to facilitate passenger and truck traffic and other services.