New York: Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended a meeting organised by the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Nations with the permanent representatives of ASEAN member states. The meeting was held in support of Bahrain's candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2026-2027 term, ahead of the election scheduled at the UN General Assembly in June.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the Minister expressed Bahrain's appreciation for the strong and advanced partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). He underscored the Kingdom's ongoing commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation across various sectors, noting the support of the Asia-Pacific Group for Bahrain's Security Council bid.
Dr. Al Zayani highlighted that under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and with the efforts of the government led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the Kingdom of Bahrain remains committed to a vision of a secure, stable, and interconnected world as a foundation for the prosperity of all nations.
He emphasised Bahrain's longstanding efforts in promoting strategic dialogue and advancing cooperation between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and ASEAN. He also highlighted Bahrain's accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) in 2019 and underscored the Kingdom's respect for its principles, particularly those concerning the peaceful settlement of regional disputes and regional cooperation.
The Minister expressed Bahrain's appreciation for ASEAN's commitment to multilateral diplomacy and its efforts to promote global peace and security, values he described as essential to collective progress. He reiterated Bahrain's awareness of the responsibilities of Security Council membership and its belief that genuine cooperation is essential for achieving and sustaining global peace, security, and development.
Dr. Al Zayani emphasised that Bahrain views Security Council membership as an opportunity to work with fellow members to strengthen international peace and stability, uphold dialogue and the principles of the UN Charter and international law, and ensure that the voices of Arab, Middle Eastern, and Asian nations are heard within the Council.
The Minister further underscored Bahrain's commitment to addressing both traditional and emerging threats to international peace and security. He outlined Bahrain's priorities, including enhancing international cooperation to protect critical infrastructure, combat cybercrime, counter illicit maritime activity, and confront terrorism and extremist groups, as well as tackling the root causes of terrorism and dismantling its financing networks.
He highlighted the Kingdom's strong belief in the transformative power of inclusive security and its intention to advocate for the meaningful participation of women and youth in international decision-making processes, particularly in conflict prevention, resolution, and post-conflict recovery, as vital components of sustainable peacebuilding strategies.
Dr. Al Zayani concluded by emphasising Bahrain's readiness to play a constructive and active role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, reiterating the Kingdom's commitment to dialogue, cooperation, and contributing to global peace and stability in collaboration with both permanent and non-permanent members.
During the meeting, ASEAN permanent representatives expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to learn about Bahrain's priorities for its prospective Council term and to exchange views. They underscored their countries' support for Bahrain's candidacy and extended their best wishes for success.