Manama: Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa Academy for Diplomatic Studies (MBMA), participated in the closing ceremony of the fifth International Diplomats Programme "Dhiyafa". The event, held by MBMA, is organised annually to enhance diplomatic cooperation and cultural exchange between the Kingdom of Bahrain and allied countries.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the ceremony was attended by a number of officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, several ambassadors accredited to Bahrain, and representatives of the programme's partners from both the public and private sectors. The minister congratulated Ambassador Dr. Shaikha Muneera bint Khalifa Al Khalifa, the Director General of the MBMA, on the success of the fifth edition of the Dhiyafa programme, wishing continued success to the academy and those responsible for the programme.
Dr. Al Zayani expressed his appreciation for the participation of diplomats from various allied countries and their opportunity to learn about Bahrain's achievements, civilisational heritage, development progress, and its deeply rooted values and principles, which emphasise the importance of coexistence, tolerance, and respect for others. He noted that the responsibilities of any diplomat include contributing to peace, security, prosperity, and stability.
Dr. Shaikha Muneera bint Khalifa expressed her appreciation for the support the academy's programmes receive from the minister, highlighting that this support has had a significant impact on the success of previous editions of the programme. She noted that the Dhiyafa programme serves as an international platform that brings together diplomats from different continents to enhance cooperation and sustainable partnerships between diplomatic academies and foreign ministries in participating countries.
On their part, the participating diplomats expressed their appreciation to the Kingdom for the organisation of the programme, noting that the experience will significantly contribute to developing their skills and enhancing their understanding of Bahraini culture, which will positively reflect on their diplomatic careers. This year's programme included a combination of academic and practical sessions, in which diplomats took part in workshops, lectures, and discussion panels, in addition to field visits to historical and tourist landmarks across the Kingdom. These visits offered them the opportunity to explore Bahrain's development and cultural progress.
The Dhiyafa programme was launched in 2018 as one of the winning projects in the Government Innovation Competition (Fikra). Since then, the programme has hosted several diplomats from different countries around the world, reflecting Bahrain's commitment to promoting dialogue and understanding among cultures.