Manama: Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Bahrain Centre for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat), led the second Board of Trustees meeting of Derasat.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed confirmed that the centre will maintain its focus on pioneering programmes, research activities, and innovative initiatives. As a national think tank, Derasat is committed to supporting knowledge development and institutional integration, in line with Bahrain's comprehensive development agenda under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the guidance of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
At the beginning of the meeting, the chairman extended his best wishes to His Majesty the King and HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister in anticipation of Eid Al Adha, expressing hopes for peace and prosperity in Bahrain and the wider Arab and Islamic world.
The board reviewed the centre's activities and achievements during the second quarter of the year, which included research projects, intellectual programmes in collaboration with other research institutions, official visits, and the Green Houses of Worship programme in coordination with the King Hamad Global Center for Coexistence and Tolerance, the Electricity and Water Authority, and religious institutions.
The board was also briefed on preparations for the upcoming 7th Annual Derasat Forum, organized in partnership with the Arab League. The forum, themed "Arab Research Centres Consortium for Sustainability and Development", aims to develop a unified Arab vision for knowledge exchange and support sustainable development goals. Additionally, the board followed up on outcomes of a roundtable with the United Nations Development Programme concerning the 2026 Human Development Report, which will focus on digital transformation in Bahrain.
Discussions also covered Derasat's contributions to advancing Gulf-Asian economic relations, and the board welcomed the outcomes of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister's official visit to Malaysia, as well as his participation in the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit and the second ASEAN-GCC summit.
Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed highlighted Derasat's commitment to fostering institutional innovation and expanding both local and international partnerships. He emphasized the centre's role as a trusted strategic think tank, aiding national institutions in effective performance and contributing to further growth and prosperity.