Manama: The 21st edition of the IISS Manama Dialogue 2025 concluded today, featuring sessions that addressed key political transformations and regional and international challenges affecting security and stability.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the forum was organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain. It underscored the importance of international cooperation, comprehensive approaches to security and peace, dialogue, and practical strategies to address the root causes of crises while promoting sustainable development, aiming to achieve a more stable and prosperous future for the region and the world.
Discussions during the session "Managing Political Transitions in the Levant", chaired by Sir John Chipman, Executive Chairman of IISS, featured Asaad Hassan Al Shaibani, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Syria; Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the President of the UAE; Dr. Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Palestine; and Dr. Manal Radwan, Minister Plenipotentiary and Head of the Negotiating Team at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia.
The panel emphasized dialogue, strategic planning, and consensus-building as essential for lasting stability and sustainable development. Speakers highlighted the need to strengthen human rights, combat extremism, uphold freedom and dignity, and address the root causes of crises rather than relying on temporary solutions, while promoting regional and international cooperation for a just and comprehensive peace.
The session "Maritime Security as a Regional and Global Responsibility", chaired by Dr. Bastian Giegerich, Director General and Chief Executive of IISS, brought together Dr. Constantinos Kombos, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus; Zaqy Mohammed, Senior Minister of State for Defence of Singapore; and Admiral Sir Keith Blount, Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (NATO).
Participants discussed growing geopolitical, economic, and security challenges, emphasizing international cooperation to manage rapid changes affecting global trade, maritime security, and supply chains. Discussions also addressed cybersecurity, information-sharing, sustainable development, urban planning, and data protection to strengthen international coordination and societal resilience.
In the final session, "Another Nuclear Age? Strategic Risks and Opportunities", co-chaired by Dr. Giegerich, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Chairman of NATO's Military Committee, and Anna Birchall, Former Deputy Prime Minister for Strategic Partnerships and Minister of Justice of Romania, participants explored global strategic risk management.
The discussion highlighted the importance of nuclear control frameworks for peace and stability, community preparedness, leadership reassessment, and investment in research and development to advance sustainable, technology-driven transport and security systems.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Giegerich expressed gratitude to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for their continued support, noting the forum's significance as a leading platform for dialogue and cooperation in promoting regional and global peace, security, and stability.
This year's dialogue brought together over 700 delegates from 65 countries, including 27 youth leaders, with high-level participation from ministers, intelligence chiefs, national security advisors, and defense leaders. IISS facilitated 103 bilateral meetings between participating nations, alongside numerous independent delegation discussions.
The dialogue also reached a wide digital audience, engaging more than seven million online viewers and recording a 25% increase in journalist participation compared to the previous year, reflecting growing international interest and the forum's prominence in global political and security discourse.
Participants expressed appreciation to the Kingdom of Bahrain, highlighting the forum's achievements this year and reaffirming the importance of dialogue as a means to foster understanding, cooperation, and progress toward regional and global peace and security.