Bahrain set to build on summit success
BAHRAIN is gearing up to host its premier security summit in November in which world leaders, military chiefs and experts are expected to take part.
The 17th International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Regional Security Summit: The Manama Dialogue 2021 will be held from November 19 to 21 at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay.
The three-day event will be held under the theme: Multilateralism and the Middle East, with attendance by political leaders and experts who will discuss global security, promote dialogue to defuse tensions and international co-operation to confront future challenges.
Last year, the summit was held in a hybrid format due to challenges presented by Covid-19, with some participants physically attending the meeting and others tuning in virtually.
“November 2021 provides a timely opportunity to review the effect of multilateralism and what it means for interests, influence and values in the Middle East,” IISS executive director Middle East Lt Gen (retired) Sir Tom Beckett told the GDN.
“The Kingdom of Bahrain has provided exemplary support to the IISS Manama Dialogue for the last 16 years and the IISS looks forward to working closely with the government for the 17th summit.”
Sir Tom said they were working with the Bahrain government to host the event for the second year in a row, during the pandemic.
Sir Tom
“Last year, Bahrain’s rigorous Covid-19 containment measures were the foundation upon which a very successful IISS Manama Dialogue could be held,” added Sir Tom.
“We fully expect to work closely with the government to ensure the success of this year’s Dialogue.”
Over the years the summit has seen a participation of 500-plus delegates from around the world.
The event kicks off with a televised debate on November 19, followed by an opening plenary session the following day entitled ‘US Defence Policy in the Middle East’.
Other sessions cover topics such as – Diplomacy and Deterrence; Geopolitical Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Gulf and Asia.
Plenary sessions on the last day will focus on Syria and Yemen: Ending the Middle East’s Forever Wars, Security Dynamics in the Red Sea, and Militias, Missiles and Nuclear Proliferation.
Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivered a keynote speech at the event last year.
Other big names to have appeared as speakers at the summit previously are King Abdullah of Jordan, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in his capacity as Foreign Secretary in 2016.
Source: https://www.gdnonline.com/Details/950038/Bahrain-set-to-build-on-summit-success
