Manama: General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Civil Defence Council, chaired a meeting of the Council. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Finance and National Economy; Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture; Mohammed bin Mubarak bin Dainah, Minister of Oil and Environment; Yasser bin Ibrahim Humaidan, Minister of Electricity and Water Affairs; Dr. Jaleela bint Al Sayyed Jawad Hasan, Minister of Health; Amna bint Ahmed Al Romaihi, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning; Dr. Ramzan bin Abdulla Alnoaimi, Minister of Information; and Lieutenant General Tariq bin Hasan Al Hasan, Chief of Public Security, attended the meeting.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the meeting was convened as part of ongoing efforts to enhance civil protection measures and public safety. The Council began its agenda with a briefing on comprehensive preparedness measures for potential regional threat scenarios. The review included an assessment of these scenarios, the roles of relevant government entities, and strategic approaches to elevating emergency preparedness and response, with a particular focus on national readiness and strengthening inter-sectoral coordination. The Council also discussed the emergency response plan for radiological incidents to ensure public safety.
The meeting further reviewed joint exercises conducted in coordination with relevant authorities, aimed at advancing collaborative efforts in civil protection and raising national preparedness levels for public safety. In line with efforts to strengthen the national early warning infrastructure, the Civil Defence Council discussed the national framework for wireless alerts, which serves as a strategic reference for unified dissemination of warning messages across various digital and traditional platforms. This framework, developed in accordance with international best practices, is a cornerstone of the national alert system and aims to enhance community responsiveness.
The meeting's agenda covered several key topics, including reviewing national response plans to threats, developing the technological infrastructure for early warning and mass communication platforms during emergencies, enhancing the readiness of shelter centres, upskilling human resources through specialised training, and supporting sustainability initiatives in the field of civil defence. The Minister of Interior emphasised the importance of maintaining a proactive approach to strengthening national preparedness and emergency response capabilities. He underscored the need for detailed plans that clearly define roles and responsibilities, ensure effective responses, and guarantee the continuity of essential services during emergencies.
He further highlighted the importance of ongoing risk assessment and expanding joint exercises across ministries and relevant agencies in the coming period. He also stressed the need to further develop early warning systems and ensure that alerts reach all segments of society through multiple channels, as part of comprehensive community awareness programs. He called for the continued development of the national civil protection platform to provide up-to-date risk information and facilitate information sharing among relevant entities.
In conclusion, the Minister of Interior expressed his appreciation to the council members for their efforts in enhancing cooperation and coordination mechanisms. He commended their role in advancing preventive civil protection measures, monitoring preparedness levels, and raising safety standards for all citizens and residents.