Manama: During the Diplomatic Forum organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the occasion of the Diplomatic Day of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Director General of Bilateral Relations, Ambassador Shaikh Abdullah bin Ali Al Khalifa, delivered a presentation entitled "Achievements of 2024 and Foreign Policy Directions for 2025', in the presence of heads of diplomatic and consular missions abroad and senior officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Ambassador Shaikh Abdullah bin Ali Al Khalifa expressed his pride in holding the Diplomatic Forum, which coincides with the celebration of the Diplomatic Day of the Kingdom of Bahrain. He highlighted Bahrain's balanced approach to its foreign policy, which is guided by established priorities under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the directives of the government headed by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
The Director General reviewed the diplomatic achievements of Bahrain during 2024, noting that hosting the 33rd Arab Summit was a significant milestone in the Kingdom's diplomatic efforts. This summit saw participation from 1,495 guests representing 20 countries and 18 international organisations. It also launched initiatives such as the proposal for an international conference to resolve the Palestinian issue and support for the recognition of the State of Palestine, alongside providing educational and health services to those affected by regional conflicts.
Ambassador Shaikh Abdullah highlighted that the previous year included over 140 official visits between Bahrain and various countries, including historic visits by the King and the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, resulting in the signing of important strategic agreements. He also announced the establishment of diplomatic relations with four new countries, expanding Bahrain's international partnerships to 190 countries. Throughout the year, 8 agreements, 41 memoranda of understanding, and three executive programmes were signed.
In outlining the foreign policy directions for 2025, Ambassador Shaikh Abdullah discussed Bahrain's focus on adhering to peace principles, reducing regional tensions, and strengthening ties with allies. He concluded by stressing the ministry's commitment to exploring new opportunities for international cooperation to enhance Bahrain's global standing.
Following the presentation, Chief of Al Madar Centre, Ali Khalid Al Araifi, introduced the 'Positions' application, which consolidates Bahrain's stances on various regional and international issues. The app aims to streamline access to information, support decision-making, and enhance diplomatic efforts. It was fully developed by the ministry's Information Systems Department and is set to be launched soon, providing an effective tool for diplomatic interactions by enabling quick access to Bahrain's positions on current issues.