On behalf of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubraka, Deputy Prime Minister, today welcomed delegates from across the world to Bahrain’s 13th Manama Dialogue security conference.
Held in partnership with the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), Bahrain has led the region’s foremost security conference for over ten years and the conference continues to provide a unique platform for multilateral engagement and private diplomacy in resolving conflict.
During the event, His Highness noted that the Manama Dialogue provides an important forum to exchange views and develop solutions to complex, unprecedented regional security challenges.
His Highness highlighted the Kingdom’s commitment to providing strategic and logistical support to international alliances combatting terrorism in the region, including active participation in both the campaign against Da’esh and the Saudi-led coalition to restore stability and security in Yemen.
During the conference, Sir John Jenkins, Corresponding Director of IISS, delivered the opening address, which detailed the complexity of issues currently facing the region. Sir John highlighted the need for collective action to counter radical groups, which represents the biggest challenge of our time and the dominant threat to social inclusion across the region.
His Highness stressed that, under the comprehensive development programme led by His Majesty King Hamad, Bahrain continues to achieve significant, sustainable development and growth across key sectors. In this regard, His Highness noted the crucial role played by His Royal Highness the Prime Minister and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince in ensuring His Majesty’s development programme continues to meet the aspirations of Bahraini citizens.
His Highness concluded by expressing his confidence that the 2017 Manama Dialogue will help identify new and effective solutions to regional conflicts and the threat posed by terrorism and extremism. His Highness went on to recognise the role that Sir John and the IISS team play in ensuring the Manama Dialogue remains one of the region’s most successful security forums.

Source: BNA