Labour Ministry Undersecretary meets with Al Hurr Executive Board Chairman

Labour Ministry Undersecretary, Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, met with Executive Board Chairman of the Bahrain Free Labor Unions Federation (Al Hurr), Yaqoob Yousef Mohammed.

They discussed the need to continue the efforts to boost the labour gains and rights to promote relations between the three production parties, develop the labour market and promote social dialogue, including boosting trade unionism.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

BRCS hosts “Mental Health” workshop

The Bahrain Red Crescent Society (BRCS) organized a training program entitled “Mental Health and Psychosocial Support”, in which several members of the Red Crescent Societies and Bodies in the GCC states participated, in addition to the volunteers of the Society.

The program was organized for three consecutive days at the headquarters of the Bahrain Red Crescent Society in the diplomatic area and came in coordination with the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.

The program addressed several topics, including analysing the psychological needs of the afflicted and those affected by disasters and supporting them in overcoming the difficult times they are going through. In addition to training them to adapt to emergencies, respect their independence and dignity, and manage the mechanisms of coexistence, in addition to psychological first aid skills, self-care and peer support.

The workshop was attended by Miss Muyssar S. Awadhalla, Head of Health Awareness & Head of Blood Bank of the Society and a member of the Regional Network for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, and Dr. Mahmoud Mohamed Tharwat, Regional President of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support.

“This training program comes within the framework of the active participation of the Bahrain Red Crescent Society in the Gulf efforts aimed at building capacity in various fields related to humanitarian relief work, including the field of mental health, which has become a fundamental cornerstone of assisting the needy. “According to The Secretary-General of the Bahrain Red Crescent Society, Mr. Mubarak Al Hadi.

Mr Al Hadi stressed the keenness of the Society to continue building the capacity of its members and volunteers in various fields and wished them success in this training and to achieve the desired, and to ensure that they are always ready to intervene when needed and do their part to the fullest, in addition to transferring knowledge and skills to new members and ensuring their integration into relief and humanitarian work.

The training program included introducing participants to how to provide quality mental health services that have a positive impact on individuals and society, and the role of volunteers in raising awareness of the importance of mental health and psychological support and employing it in emergencies at the local, regional and global levels.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

LLOC delegation attends GCC meeting

The Standing Committee of Legislation Departments Officials in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member countries convened for their 22nd meeting, which was held today in Riyadh, in the presence of the General Secretariat.

Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission (LLOC) Chairman Chancellor Nawaf Abdulla Hamza attended the meeting which discussed issues related to laws on the agenda of the legislative departments in the GCC states.

Led by the LLOC Chairman, Bahrain’s delegation also included Assistant Chancellor Ibrahim Sami Al Busumeet.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

HH Shaikh Nasser expresses pride in HM King’s support, honouring

HM the King’s Personal Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, has extended sincere thanks and appreciation to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, for receiving him after winning the title of the FEI World Endurance Championship for eight-year-old horses in Spain, outclassing 57 elite riders representing 20 countries in the 120km race.

In this regard, HH Shaikh Nasser said: “We are inspired by all the values of giving and dedication from HM King Hamad, the First Knight, in order to lift the name and flag of Bahrain higher in various gatherings, including sports tournaments, which have become important venues to shed light on Bahrain and its great achievements, under HM’s unwavering care. HM the King always directs us to achieve more championships and advanced positions in sports, especially endurance, which is the sport of our forefathers.”

HH Shaikh Nasser indicated that the royal audience is both a badge of honour and a source of pride, adding that it is a catalyst for exerting more efforts to bring about more sports achievements, to confirm the distinguished status enjoyed by the kingdom at various regional, continental and global championships.

HH Shaikh Nasser expressed pride in the stances expressed by Bahrainis in support of his efforts to attain sports titles, extending appreciation and gratitude to all those who stood by him in his quest to win the world title, as well as to those who received him and congratulated him on the great exploit.

HH Shaikh Nasser asserted that the world championship in Spain is part of his sports career, expressing his resolve to bring home more international titles in the near future.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

HM King receives Supreme head of the Indian Orthodox Church

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has today received, at Al Safriya Palace, His Holiness Pope Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Supreme head of the Indian Orthodox Church, on visit to Bahrain to attend the celebration held by The Syrian Orthodox Church of St. Mary marking the 63rd anniversary of its founding in the Kingdom.

HM the King welcomed HH Pope Moran Mar Baselios , praising his efforts to promote humanitarian work and foster the values of goodness, love and tolerance.

He commended the role played by the Saint Mary Orthodox Church and the rest of the other churches in the Kingdom of Bahrain in promoting coexistence, love and religious tolerance among followers of religions.

HM the King highlighted the freedom of religion that marked Bahrain throughout its history, noting that the Kingdom has embraced various religions and places of worship, living as one family that is open to the world, supported by a cohesive society and the awareness of its citizens, who believe firmly in noble human principles and respect for all peoples and religions.

HM the King stressed Bahrain’s unwavering efforts and noble initiatives tio foster the culture of rapprochement, coexistence and dialogue between religions and civilizations, and adherence to the approach of moderation, mutual respect for the good of all mankind.

HH Pope Moran Mar Baselios praised Bahrain’s care for followers of religions and places of worship, lauding the Kingdom’s progress and prosperity under the wise leadership of HM the King.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Joint Communique following visit of President of the Maldives to Bahrain

A joint statement was issued today following the visit of the President of the Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Saleh to Bahrain.

1. Within the framework of long-standing relations and friendship which tie the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Republic of Maldives, and in line with the aspiration to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries, official discussions were held between His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Excellency Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, President of the Republic of Maldives, at Gudaibiya Palace.

2. The two sides discussed the value of close bilateral relations, new areas of cooperation, and ways to develop and enhance existing ties that serve mutual interests. The two sides stressed a common desire to strengthen economic, trade, and investment cooperation, as well as the importance of supporting the private sector to contribute to economic growth for the benefit of both countries and their peoples.

3. The talks provided a welcome opportunity to expand and deepen bilateral cooperation in mutually beneficial fields and to further strengthen political and economic relations, and particularly within the fields of trade, food security, the environment, communications, culture, tourism, youth development, and sport.

4. The parties agreed to increase tourist travel between the two countries. In this context, the two sides stressed the importance of the Air Services Agreement signed in 2019 to increase tourism.

5. Both sides stressed the importance of an early and successful conclusion to on-going discussions on a Visa Waiver Agreement designed to facilitate ease of entry, enable travel, encourage commerce and people-to-people contacts.

6. Both sides acknowledged the importance of cooperating to address the challenges posed by climate change and a rise in sea levels for the environment, the economy, and global stability. Both parties agreed to strengthen coordination on these issues and in policy formulation on their respective response measures.

7. In this context, several Memorandums of Understanding were signed during the visit, encompassing cooperation in political consultations and diplomatic training, youth development and sport, climate change, and advisory and consultancy services between telecommunications operators.

8. Both sides welcomed the designation of the Republic of Maldives as a Global-Sea-to-Air Logistics Partner of the Kingdom of Bahrain. This will facilitate the provision of logistics support services between the two countries. They also welcomed the decision to grant the Maldives jurisdiction over its entities’ data hosted in cloud centres based in Bahrain.

9. Regional and international developments of common interest were discussed, including the challenges facing the countries of the region. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of dialogue, peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and those enshrined in the UN Charter, foremost among which is the principle of good-neighbourliness, non-interference in the internal affairs of States, and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

10. Both sides denounced terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, reaffirming their desire to strengthen cooperation, at the bilateral and multilateral levels in the fight against terrorism and its financing, combating transnational organised crime, and enhancing cyber security cooperation, in the interest of maintaining international security and stability.

11. Both sides reiterated the importance of ensuring maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean, to maintain security and stability in the region, and to protect international trade.

12. Regarding the rights of Palestinians, the two sides stressed the need to intensify efforts to reach a comprehensive and just settlement to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in accordance with the principle of a two-state solution and in line with international resolutions.

13. On the crisis in Yemen, the two sides expressed their appreciation for the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its continuous support aimed at bringing peace and stability to the Republic of Yemen, and expressed their condemnation of the Houthi terrorist group’s refusal to extend the truce in Yemen proposed by the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, which was approved by the Yemeni government. Both sides reaffirmed their support for all efforts aimed at reaching a political solution to the Yemeni crisis in accordance with the Gulf initiative and its executive mechanism, the outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference and UN Security Council Resolution No. 2216, in a manner that achieves peace, security and stability for the Yemeni people.

14. On Iran, both sides reiterated the importance of compliance with the United Nations Charter and international law, the principles of good neighbourliness, and non-interference in the affairs of other nations, of respecting the sovereignty of states and their religious and cultural values, and refraining from the use or threat of force, and called upon Iran to fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency and to work to make the Middle East, including the Arabian Gulf, free from weapons of mass destruction.

15. The two sides reviewed the latest developments in Ukraine and stressed the need for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the conflict by peaceful means. They also affirmed support for international efforts to protect civilians, ensure humanitarian access, enable the export of grain to ensure food security, and all efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict, to maintain security and peace in Europe and the world.

16. His Excellency Mr Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, President of the Republic of Maldives, thanked His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to him and his delegation. The President of the Republic of Maldives extended invitations to His Majesty the King and to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister to visit the Republic of Maldives at their earliest convenience, which were gladly accepted.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Assistant Chief of Public Security receives US delegation

Assistant Chief of Public Security for Operations and Training Affairs Brigadier Mohammed Abdullah Al Haram has received a delegation from a delegation from the United States Senate. Assistant Undersecretary for Planning and Organisation Shaikha Mashael bint Khalifa Al Khalifa attended.

The visit was part of the delegation’s visit to Bahrain. The Assistant Chief welcomed the officials and highlighted to them the efforts of the Interior Ministry in protecting security, general order, and general safety.

He highlighted that in the last four years, the crime rates have reduced by 30%, attributing the reason to the directives and support of His Excellency Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa to enhance competency and security capabilities. He also directed to enhance performance through training, modern technology and openness to the expertise of developed countries. The Assistant Chief also hailed the support of the Chief of Public Security to implement the directives.

The delegation was also briefed on efforts to expand the Alternative Sanctions and Measures Law and the implementation of the Open Prisons Programme, along with the promotion of the community partnership for active interaction between police personnel and members of society.

Source: Ministry of Interior