His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, today chaired the weekly Cabinet Meeting at Gudaibiya Palace.

The Cabinet commended the outcomes of the state visit by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, President of the Arab Summit, to the People’s Republic of China, at the invitation of President Xi Jinping.

The Cabinet further commended the visit’s outcome which has bolstered the comprehensive strategic partnership between Bahrain and China.

The Cabinet noted the significance of the official discussions held between HM the King and HE President Xi Jinping in regards to the Bahrain Declaration, which was issued during the 33rd regular Session of the Council of the League of Arab States at the Summit Level that covered regional and international issues. The Cabinet further noted the importance of the signed agreements and memoranda of understanding , which will further strengthen Bahrain-China relations.

The Cabinet noted the efforts made by His Majesty the King as President of the Arab Summit, in conducting bilateral meetings with various country leaders to discuss the outcomes of the Summit and its ambitious initiatives to enhance regional stability and prosperity.

The Cabinet also commended HM the King’s speech at the opening session of the 10th ministerial meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum. In his address, His Majesty called for coordinated efforts and mobilisation of support for lasting peace. His Majesty the King also called for swift convening of an international peace conference to support the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, the establishment of their national state, the cessation of the devastating war on the Gaza Strip, and the facilitation of humanitarian aid delivery to civilians.

The Cabinet commended the outcomes of the meeting of the 54th session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Information, hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the President of the Arab Summit. During the session, the members unanimously approved the proposal by Bahrain regarding media mechanisms to be used to address initiatives presented by His Majesty the King during the Arab Summit.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister directed relevant entities to support Bahraini citizens participating in the Hajj pilgrimage by providing them with the necessary services.

His Royal Highness commended the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s commitment, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and with the support of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, to ensure a seamless 2024 Hajj season.

The Cabinet extended its thanks to all educational and administrative staff for their ongoing efforts to support education in the Kingdom and guarantee outstanding academic achievement for students this year.

The Cabinet then congratulated the newly appointed Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, wishing him success in his duties to serve Kuwait and its citizens, under the leadership of the Amir of Kuwait, His Highness Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah.

In recognition of World Environment Day, the Cabinet stressed the importance of enhancing environmental security through innovative initiatives, plans, and solutions to preserve the environment and sustain its resources.

The Cabinet also expressed appreciation for the initiative by the President of the United States of America, HE Joe Biden, regarding a ceasefire in Gaza. The Cabinet called on all parties to respond seriously and positively to this initiative, viewing it as an opportunity to permanently end the war, release hostages and detainees, rebuild Gaza, and expand the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid to civilians.

The Cabinet noted His Majesty the King’s call to swiftly convene an international peace conference to support the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to establish their national state, which the Kingdom of Bahrain has expressed its willingness to host the conference in line with its belief in the importance of serving the core issues of the region’s development and stability.

The Cabinet then discussed several memorandums during the meeting, approving the following:

1.           A memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs and Fiscal Balance regarding the financial arrangements of Eskan Bank.

2.           A memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs on the government’s response to two laws and three proposals submitted by the Council of Representatives.

3.           A memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs on the agreement to host the ninth UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism in 2024.

4.           A memorandum submitted by the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture regarding the acquisition of several properties for public urban development.

The Cabinet also reviewed a memorandum submitted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs regarding topics on the agenda of the 160th session of the Ministerial Council of the GCC.

The Cabinet then took note of the following ministerial reports:

1.           The visit of His Majesty the King to the People’s Republic of China

2.           Outcomes of the participation in the Ministerial Meeting on Efforts to Implement the Two-State Solution

3.           Participation in the 91st General Session of the World Assembly of Delegates to the World Organisation for Animal Health

4.           Participation in the 27th Meeting of the Municipal Affairs Ministers in the Gulf Cooperation Council

5.           Participation in the 60th regular session of the Council of Arab Health Ministers and the 77th World Health Assembly

6.           The participation in the GCC-ASEAN Economic and Investment Conference

7.           Outcomes of the 27th Meeting of Information Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council

8.           The 54th session of the Arab Information Ministers’ Council meeting and the 16th edition of the Gulf Radio and Television Festival

9.           The official visit of the Minister of Industry and Commerce to the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong

10.        Outcomes of the participation in the Arab Youth Media Forum.

BNA