Manama: Senior officials, military leaders, and experts taking part in the 2025 International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Manama Dialogue commended Bahrain's vital role in fostering diplomacy, peace, and regional cooperation amid an increasingly complex global landscape.
According to Bahrain News Agency, participants praised the platform provided by the Manama Dialogue for international diplomatic engagement. Yalchin Rafiyev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, described the Manama Dialogue as "a useful platform for security and foreign policy practitioners to come together and discuss the main burning issues of the global agenda." He emphasized the inclusive nature of the event, which brings together representatives from academia, civil society, and the private sector, enriching the discussions.
Rafiyev further noted the importance of such exchanges during uncertain times for international diplomacy. He stated, "We are really going through a very challenging period for multilateralism and international diplomacy. Whatever dialogue we are having here will definitely contribute positively to building bridges among ourselves and creating an enabling environment for diplomacy to work."
Lieutenant General Jimmy Larida, Vice Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, echoed similar sentiments, appreciating the spirit of cooperation promoted at the forum. He remarked, "One of the pillars to solve any conflict is cooperation, and we can build cooperation by talking. We should not build walls that divide us, but bridges that connect us." Larida commended the selection of speakers and the depth of discussions on global dynamics and their political, economic, and strategic impacts.
Mohammad Hawash, Senior Research Assistant for the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, highlighted the significance of plenary sessions and sideline meetings at the forum as essential tools of international diplomacy. He noted a shift from a unipolar to a multipolar world and the increasing roles of regional heavyweights and global powers such as the European Union and China.