Day: September 22, 2024

New York, Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), met with António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations (UN). The meeting came on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed means to enhance cooperation between the GCC and the United Nations in various sectors, support sustainable development efforts, and address the latest regional and international developments of mutual interest, particularly the situation in the Gaza Strip and the rest of the Palestinian territories.

Albudaiwi underscored the importance of the international community’s role in supporting the UN to implement its resolutions, particularly concerning the Palestinian cause.

The GCC Secretary General commended the UNGA’s efforts in preparing for the 79th session. He highlighted its important role in addressing current regional and international issues, supporting peace and development efforts,
and enhancing international cooperation to tackle crises.

On his part, the UN Secretary General commended the GCC countries for their contributions regionally and internationally, noting their achievements in areas such as sustainability, infrastructure, and development. He also highlighted the humanitarian and developmental aid provided by the GCC countries.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Washington, The Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA) and the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) signed a joint statement to enhance cooperation in space and aerospace research. The signing took place at NASA headquarters in Washington.

The two agencies agreed to strengthen collaboration in areas such as deep space and lunar exploration and to lead on the international stage. They committed to identifying innovative projects in space life sciences, lunar surface science, and joint use of deep space antennas.

The two sides underscored their intent to cooperate on space sustainability, focusing on space debris reduction, space traffic management, and space environment protection, Yonhap News Agency reported.

A separate agreement was signed to jointly design a mission concept for operations at Lagrange point L4, where the gravitational forces of the sun and Earth are balanced. KASA also plans to discuss further agreements to expand Korea’s participation in the U.S. Artemis moon explora
tion programme.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Manama, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa sent a cable of congratulations to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, on Saudi Arabia’s National Day.

HM the King affirmed Saudi Arabia’s development and prosperity, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

HM King Hamad commended the strong Bahrain-Saudi relations and underscored the Kingdom’s commitment to further advancing cooperation within their strategic partnership.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Amman, The 9th Arab Forum for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency is set to take place Monday, bringing together participants from 13 countries to discuss key advancements in the renewable energy sector.

The forum will focus on the future of renewable energy and green education in the Arab world, according to Jordan News Agency (Petra).

The forum’s agenda includes discussions on electric vehicle incentives, the development of green hydrogen, and the integration of technical and vocational green education into national curricula. Participants will also explore the potential for international electrical connectivity, as Arab nations aim to strengthen their renewable energy infrastructure.

The forum will also launch several initiatives to foster creativity and innovation among students. These include the Arab Solar Car Race, organised in collaboration with the American Solar Challenge, and the Solar Boat Race, in partnership with the International Solar Boat Organisation based in the Netherlands. These co
mpetitions are designed to encourage school and university students to engage in sustainable technology development.

Mohammad Al Taani, Secretary General of the Arab Renewable Energy Commission, highlighted that Arab investments in renewable energy are projected to surpass $1 trillion by 2040. He underscored the importance of Jordan’s geographic location, which connects the Arab region with Europe and Africa, in advancing international electrical connectivity initiatives.

Al Taani also announced plans to establish the Islamic Renewable Energy Organization. The new organisation will aim to enhance scientific, technical, and technological collaboration among Islamic countries, while respecting the cultural, traditional, and societal values of each member state.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Manama, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, today sent a cable of congratulations to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s National Day.

HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister sent a similar cable to the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Manama, 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 (SCYS), chaired the SCYS’s 2024 meeting.

HH Shaikh Nasser emphasised the council’s commitment to empowering Bahraini youth through a range of policies, programmes, and initiatives. He highlighted the importance of equipping young people with the skills and opportunities they need to play a key role in the Kingdom’s development, in line with the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

His Highness also underscored the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, in fostering opportunities for youth as the cornerstone of Bahrain’s future.

HH Shaikh Nasser noted that youth development is a national priority, requiring cooperation between both public and private sectors to create an environment where young people can thrive and contribute to Bahrain’
s progress.

The attendees congratulated HH Shaikh Nasser on his recent victory at the FEI World Endurance Championship, which is his second consecutive win.

HH Shaikh Nasser also commended HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the SCYS and Chairman of the General Sports Authority (GSA), for his role and efforts in supporting Bahrain’s national teams in achieving significant milestones, including leading the Arab nations in the Paris 2024 Olympics and Bahrain’s historic win in the GCC Men’s Basketball Championship.

During the meeting, the “Hope Talents” initiative presented findings from a study on outstanding youth. HH Shaikh Nasser announced the creation of an academic excellence Authority to bring together top students and foster knowledge exchange.

The Ministry of Labour also presented updates on a long-term initiative aimed at identifying and supporting academically distinguished youth, launched under HH Shaikh Nasser’s directives.

The council reviewed the success of the las
t edition of the Masari programme (My Path), which aims to upskill Bahraini youth, develop their capabilities, offer them qualitative and international opportunities. In light of its positive impact, the SCYS approved the launch of the third phase of the programme.

Additionally, the council discussed progress on a project to recognise prior learning and flexible career pathways, initiated in line with the Cabinet’s directives.

Tamkeen Labour Fund provided an update on the Skills Bahrain platform, which aims to better align education and training with the needs of the labour market.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Manama, Bahrain will host the 9th edition of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism, the world’s largest global gastronomy tourism event.

Scheduled for November 18-19 at the Exhibition World Bahrain, this event is a collaborative effort between the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) and the UNWTO. The event is expected to further solidify Bahrain’s position as a key player in the global tourism sector.

The forum will bring together a distinguished group of local and international culinary and food tourism experts. It will feature a diverse range of activities, including panel discussions, workshops, and an exhibition showcasing the latest innovations in food tourism.

The event will provide a platform for the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and best practices within the industry while enhancing cooperation among stakeholders worldwide.

The forum will showcase the rich and diverse culinary heritage of Bahrain, specifically, and the Gulf regio
n, in general. It will also highlight the growing importance of gastronomy tourism in the region, positioning it as a leading global destination in this field in the years to come.

The Economic Quarterly Report for the first quarter of 2024 indicated that the accommodation and food services sector in Bahrain experienced a 10.7% year-on-year growth, reflecting the sector’s contribution to the national economy. This event is expected to catalyse new and innovative opportunities for collaboration and further propel growth within this dynamic sector.

On this occasion, Fatima bint Jaafar Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism and Chairperson of BTEA, expressed her pride in hosting the World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for the first time in the Middle East, marking a significant milestone in Bahrain’s strategy to diversify its tourism offerings.

“This prestigious event is part of our commitment, as part of Team Bahrain, to diversify the tourism sector and solidify the Kingdom’s position as a leader in gastronomy touris
m, Al Sairafi said.

“We aim to establish Bahrain as a leading destination for food enthusiasts and culinary tourism as the World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism presents an exceptional opportunity for Bahrain to leverage its rich culinary heritage, exchange knowledge, and develop skills in this field.”

The forum is composed to feature several announcements during the event regarding the opening of new international restaurants in the Kingdom of Bahrain, as well as noteworthy partnerships among stakeholders at local, regional and global levels.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Manama, Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB), the award-winning World’s Leading New Exhibition and Convention Centre 2023 and the Middle East’s Leading Large-scale Wedding Venue 2024, unveils a stunning collection of Bahraini artworks in collaboration with the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA).

The displayed artworks feature masterpieces by 14 of Bahrain’s most renowned artists. This captivating collection, which spans the main concourse and the exhibition concourse of EWB on creatively installed panels, showcases a diverse range of artistic expressions, from breathtaking landscapes to thought-provoking abstracts.

The official launch event was attended by Dana Al Saad, Deputy CEO for Resources and Projects at the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), Farah Mattar, Director General of Culture and Museums at Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA), as well as fine arts representatives and media personnel.

The renowned roster of Bahraini artists includes Balqees Fakhro,
Abbas Al Mosawi, Jaffar Al Oraibi, Abdul Rahim Sharif, Ali Al Mahmeed, Khalid Al Tahmazi, Mariam Fakhro, Shafiqa Al Hermi, Abbas Yousif, Hussain Al Sunni, Badeea Bubshait, Abdulelah Alarab, Omar Al Rashid and Abdulkarim Al Orrayedh.

EWB continues to reinforce its responsibility towards supporting the local community, especially advancing cultural trends. The venue’s role extends beyond mere exhibition; it is a pivotal supporter of social and cultural activations. By displaying Bahraini artworks during various events, EWB provides artists with invaluable opportunities to gain exposure, receive international recognition and engage with a new audience.

As a premier venue for high-profile events such as internationally acclaimed conventions and large-scale exhibitions, EWB is dedicated to highlighting Bahrain’s rich artistic heritage, along with fostering greater exposure for the Kingdom’s stance as a preferred destination for the MICE industry and business tourism.

The deputy CEO expressed her enthusiasm for
the event: ‘This collection stands as a testament to the extraordinary talent flourishing within the Kingdom. Each piece reflects Bahrain’s unique cultural narrative, capturing the essence of our history while embracing the future. It’s heartening to see our esteemed artists gaining the recognition they deserve at the Middle East’s newest exhibition and convention centre. This commitment to cultural promotion is instrumental in bridging local artistic innovations with international trends, fostering cross-cultural exchanges, and enhancing the global visibility of Bahraini art.’

The director general shared her thoughts on the collaboration: ‘Our partnership with EWB represents a significant milestone in promoting Bahraini art on a grand stage. This collection not only showcases the exceptional skills of our artists but also reinforces Bahrain’s dedication to preserving and advancing our cultural heritage. The artworks displayed at EWB offer a profound glimpse into the soul of our Kingdom, celebrating both tra
dition and innovation, while adding aesthetic touch to the venue.’

The exhibited artworks embody a rich tapestry of creativity and cultural depth, demonstrating the diverse talents of Bahrain’s leading artists. This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing effort to elevate Bahrain’s cultural profile in the MICE industry and provide a platform for its artistic community to shine on an international stage.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Manama, Under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty for Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, the High Diving World Championship concluded today at Bahrain Harbour.

The closing ceremony was attended by His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS), Chairman of the General Sports Authority (GSA), and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC), and Captain Husain Al Musallam, the President of World Aquatics.

HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad presented gold medals to the the first place winners in the men’s category (27m) Constantin Popovici from Romania, who scored 408 points, and the first in the women’s (20m) category Molly Carlson from Canada, who scored 324.2 points.

Captain Husain Al Musallam presented silver and bronze medals to the second and third winners of each category. James Lichtenstein from the USA and Aida
n Heslop from the UK, respectively, won in the men’s category. Simone Leathead from Canada and Kaylea Arnett from the USA, respectively, won in the women’s category.

HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad expressed his pride in Bahrain’s successful hosting of the championship, which showcases the Kingdom’s capabilities in organising major international sporting events, including aquatic sports.

His Highness extended his appreciation to HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad for his patronage of the event, acknowledging his ongoing efforts in promoting sports and youth activities in Bahrain.

His Highness also praised the BOC’s executive body, led by Secretary-General Faris Al Kooheji, for their role in bringing the championship to Bahrain and their efforts in organising it.

HH Shaikh Khalid highlighted the BOC’s commitment to hosting international sports events and building partnerships with global federations, with the aim of Bahrain’s standing, economy, and tourism. His Highness added that the successful High Diving World Champ
ionship and recent golf tournament reflect the committee’s key role in the sports sector.

His Highness thanked the President of World Aquatics, for their trust in Bahrain to host the High Diving World Championship. His Highness also expressed appreciation to GFH Group and all the sponsors for their support.

His Highness commended the cooperation of all ministries, government agencies, and private sector institutions, which demonstrates Bahrain’s commitment to collaborate with the International Swimming Federation on future initiatives and projects.

Source: Bahrain News Agency