MANAMA: Mahmood Rafique, Editor: The Kingdom of Bahrain has taken a major step forward by negotiating, and concluding a landmark defense pact with the United States of America aims at bringing innovation, prosperity and regional economic sustainability.
This was the crux of a keynote address followed by a discussion by His Highness Lieutenant General Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, National Security Advisor for the Bahrain Defence Force at the opening of the 21st Manama Dialogue.
Titled high level conversation and the opening dinner, wherein Dr Bastian Giegerich, Director-General and Chief Executive, posed very important questions on security imperatives and collaboration to IISS HH Lieutenant General Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa National Security Advisor; Commander of the Royal Guard, Bahrain Defence Force and the Hon. Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence, United States.
His Highness underlined the importance of Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (CSIPA) of the by Bahrain and the United States and said initially the agreement was a bilateral, then became a tri-lateral platform in which region’s prosperity through innovation and economic sustainability serve as vital objectives. “The visionary leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain has helped brining in peace through talks and diplomacy and the recent examples are ending of decades long diplomatic impasse between the Arab world and Israel, as Abraham Accord and the Gaza Peace initiatives are culmination of those efforts aims at bring a long lasting peace in the region bidding farewell to the hostility with neighbors jeopardizing the growth and economic well being of millions across the region.
His Highness was speaking during a discussion along with Tulsi Gabbard, the US National Security Advisor, following a keynote at the opening dinner, the session was titled: “The Imperative of Security Cooperation.”
“The IISS Manama Dialogue witnessed broad international participation, underscoring its importance in fostering strategic perspectives and innovative approaches to maintaining regional security and stability, reflecting a strong global commitment to addressing key security challenges.
His Royal Highness touched on the role of international forums, conferences, and summits as platforms for exchanging perspectives on regional and international developments, therefore strengthening collective efforts to promote global security and peace.
HH noted the importance of the international rules-based order for long term prosperity, referring to the landmark Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (CSIPA) signed between Bahrain and the USA. It may be noted that the UK was formally invited by Bahrain last year making C-SIPA a third member along with the US.
HH applauded the vision of His Majesty King for opening a new era of diplomacy, dialogue and seeking peace, security and stability through dialogue in the wake of challenges faced by the region on geopolitical front.
His Highness underscores the importance in fostering strategic perspectives and innovative approaches to maintaining regional security and stability, reflecting a strong global commitment to addressing key security challenges.
His Highness also recognised the success of the “Manama Dialogue” over the past twenty-one years as an international platform addressing the world’s most pressing foreign policy, defence, and security challenges. Notably, HH highlighted its role in fostering dialogue and collaboration to advance global comprehensive and sustainable development goals.
“The glaring example of the success of diplomacy aiming at bringing peace and security across the region is signing of Abraham Accord, a giant step forward towards peace and security through diplomacy.”
The Director-General and Chief Executive of the IISS, Dr. Bastian Giegerich, gave a speech highlighting the challenges facing the region and underscoring the need for unified international cooperation and efforts to address these issues and promote security and prosperity for all.
