Tasked by His Majesty the King, Minister of Foreign Affairs Participates in Expanded Dialogue Session of 18th BRICS Summit

Manama: Tasked by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs participated in an expanded dialogue session during the 18th BRICS Summit. The summit was attended by heads of state, heads of government, and foreign ministers from BRICS member states, partner countries, and invited nations.According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Bahrain, the Minister conveyed His Majesty's greetings and expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister of India, the government, and the people for their hospitality. The Minister highlighted the longstanding relations between the GCC countries and BRICS members, emphasizing partnerships in energy, digital connectivity, food security, and logistics, and a mutual aspiration to enhance cooperation and investment.The Minister pointed out the growing opportunities for collaboration in the digital economy, financial technology, artificial intelligence, clean energy, and food supply chains. He stressed the importance of transforming dialogue into tangible be nefits for the peoples of the participating countries and the Global South.He affirmed that economic resilience relies not only on innovation but also on the security of crucial trade routes. The Arabian Gulf, with vital maritime waterways like the Strait of Hormuz and Bab Al Mandab, serves as essential channels for energy, food, and goods movement, benefiting BRICS countries. The Minister underscored the shared interest in safeguarding these routes' security and stability.The Minister emphasized that disruptions in strategic maritime corridors affect energy prices, transportation costs, supply chains, and food security, impacting the least developed countries' crisis response capabilities. He affirmed that ensuring freedom of navigation and trade flow, according to international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, is a collective responsibility.He stated that the security and stability of these corridors are inseparable from the region's security. The GCC countries believe sust ainable security arises from dialogue, diplomacy, respect for sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, and peaceful dispute resolution.In this context, he highlighted multilateral efforts like BRICS in fostering dialogue and addressing shared challenges under the UN Charter and international law principles. He noted the need for political solutions in Palestine, Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, and Sudan to preserve sovereignty, bolster security, and support recovery and reconstruction.He asserted that global challenges demand collective action to turn dialogue into partnerships, innovation into development, and stability into prosperity. The GCC countries, he affirmed, remain committed partners in international efforts promoting peace, security, and stability for a sustainable future through dialogue and cooperation.The Kingdom of Bahrain's delegation included Mr. Abdulrahman Mohammed Al Gaoud, Bahrain's Ambassador to India, Ambassador Saeed Abdulkhaliq Saeed, Chief of the Coordination and Follow-up Se ctor, and the Minister's accompanying delegation.