Royal Highness of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Almuhammed Al- Khalifa issued edict 42 for the year 2026 appointing a director at the ministry of finance and national economy based on a proposal by the minister of finance and national economy. Bushra Abdullah Hussein Ali shall be appointed as director of the central procurement directorate at the ministry of finance and national economy succeeding Muhammad Abdul Hakeim Abdul Malik. His Royal Highness also issued edict 43 of 2006 2026 appointing a director at the civil service bureau based on a proposal by the president of the ser civil service bureau. Abdullah Shali shall be appointed director of the human resource system development directorate at the civil service bureau. The first deputy chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, chairman of the general sports authority and president of the Bahrain Olympic Committee. His highness Shikhal Muhammad al- Khalifa chaired the eighth meeting of the committee's board of directors. His highness emphasized the importance of all national teams. Team Bahrain making a distinguished representation at the 20th Asian Games to be held in Japan from September 19th to October 4th and returning with an achievement befitting the status and distinguished reputation of Bahraini sports. His highness was briefed on the latest preparation undertaken by the committee for participation in the 20th Asian Games including the participation sports participant sports and size of delegation. His highness was also briefed on preparation to participate in the 2026 youth Olympic games in Dar and the 2026 Asian and martial arts games in real. The meeting also reviewed the latest development regarding Bahrain hosting of the Arab games scheduled to be held in 2027 as well as preparation for Bahrain's participation in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The meeting decided that Bahrain will host the 38th meeting of the presidents of the national Olympic committees of the GCC as well as the 102nd executive office meeting. The secretary general of the committee, Faris Kohhiji, reviewed the sporting achievements during the first quarter of 2026, most notably the men's national handball team winning the Asian championship title. The national team's result at the six Asian beach games in Sai 2026, the fourth Gulf Games in Doha 2026. The meeting also reviewed the committee's achievement in 2025 and the latest developments regarding the international aquetics faderation project and GFH group. It discussed the implementation of the regulation governing training and coaches in the sports sector across all sports federation. It decided to appoint BKF Albasam to audit the accounting records of the sports federation for the year 2026. The meeting further discussed proposals submitted by the sports federation during the ordinary general assembly meeting of the committee. The meeting also set the organization of the fifth edition of the Bahran kids Olympics and the 2026 Olympic day event for the final quarter of the year. As part of Bahrain's presidency of the 46th session of the GCC Supreme Council, Bahrain hosted the 23rd meeting of the heads of the financial and accounting audit bureaus of the GCC, reflecting efforts to further develop joint GCC audit work and enhance the use of modern technologies and AI to support transparency and efficient management of public resources. The meeting was chaired by the auditor general of the national audit office Sheikh Ahmed Muhammad Al- Khalifa in the presence of the assistant secretary general for legislative and legal affairs at the general secretariat of the GCC Sheh Sultan bin Muhammad Althani and heads of GCC audit institution. Sheikh Ahmed Muhammad said that the meeting reflects the strong ties among GCC and the importance attached by the leaders of the GCC to enhance Gulf cooperation and integration and developing its institution in support of the aspiration of GCC states and their people. He noted that GCC audit institution plays a key role in promoting integrity and enhancing government performance efficiency. He added that rapid development in technology and AI proved new opportunities to develop audit tools. He highlighted professional cooperation and the exchange of knowledge and expertise among GCC audit institution as key components for building an audit system that is better prepared for the future and capable of keeping pace with rapidly evolving challenges and developments. The meeting concluded by emphasizing the importance of building on existing cooperation and acceleration the accelerating the adoption of digital innovation solution. The minister of foreign affairs Dr. Abd Zani held a telephone call with the Saudi minister of foreign affairs his highness Prince Falbin Farhan Aloud. During the call, the two sides reviewed the long-standing relations between the two countries and their people, the continued progress and development of these relations across various fields and ways to further enhance them in manner that serve their common interest. The two sides also discussed the latest development in the region and the diplomatic efforts underway to deescalate tensions and reviewed efforts aimed at ensuring freedom of maritime navigation in the straight of Hormuz and and other vital waterways in a manner that promotes security, stability and sustainable peace in the region. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abd Zani, received a telephone call from the UK's Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa at the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, Stfan Doy. During the call, Dr. Zani congratulated Doy on assuming his new position at the ministry and wished him success. He highlighted continued growth of the long-standing relations between the two countries across various fields and expressed aspiration to further strengthen bilateral cooperation. For his part, Dy thanked the minister for his kind sentiments and affirmed his commitment to expanding cooperation between the two countries and capitalizing on available opportunities to advance it in a manner that served common interests. He expressed the UK solidarity with Bahrain in the wake of the hostile Iranian attacks and its support for all measures taken by Bahrain to safeguard its sovereignty, security and stability, wishing the kingdom continued stability, progress and prosperity. The two sides discussed the strategic partnership between the two countries and ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation across various fields. They also followed up on the implementation of the MUS and joint cooperation agreements to achieve shared objectives and preserve regional security and stability. The two ministers also reviewed the latest regional developments of the repercussions of the continued Iranian attacks against Bahrain and countries in the region as well as the closure of the straight of hormones to maritime navigation and its impact on energy and food supplies and international trade. They also discussed continuing coordination between the two countries during Bahrain's membership of the UN Security Council. Bahrain strongly com condemned and denounced the renewed terrorist attacks carried out by Iranianbacked Houthi militia targeting a number of civilian economic and vital facilities and sites in Saudi Arabia resulting in injuries to a number of civilians including women and children. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that these attacks along with the continued targeting of commercial vessels and the threat to the freedom of and safety of international navigation in the Red Sea and Babel Mend represents a dangerous escalation, a flagrant violation of the rules of international law, international humanitarian law, the UN charter, and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and a blanted challenge to the relevant security council resolution. The ministry affirms behind full solidarity with the Saudi Arabia and its complete support for all measures taken to the pre preserve it sovereignty, security and stability and to protect its citizens and the residents on its territory and vital facilities. Praising the efficiency and vigilance of the Royal Saudi Defense Forces in confronting these attacks and protecting civilian lives. The ministry stressed Bahrain's call upon the international community particularly the security count council to fulfill its responsibility and take a firm stance to deter those hostile terrorist attacks hold their prep pretors accountables and implement relevant security council resolution. It appreciates the security council members condemnation of these attacks and calls for translating that condemnation into concrete action. The ministry reiterated Bahrain's firm stance in rejecting violence and terrorism in all its form and support for everything that preserve the security and stability of the region, the safety of international navigation and the security of energy supplies. As part of Bahrain's presidency of the 46th session of the GCC Supreme Council, Bahrain hosted the 17th meeting of the GCC committee and heads and directors of tax authorities chaired by chief executive of the National Bureau for Revenue Rena. The meeting forms a part of ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation among the GCC tax authorities exchange expertise and best practices develop system and mechanism to support Gulf economic integration. It discussed items on the on the agenda notably enhancing the efficiency of existing systems developing an advanced digital system to support economic integration and developing unified legislation and mechanism. It also reviewed key related developments and exchanged best practice and expertise in support of the GCC shares objectives. The meeting concluded by highlighting the importance of continuing joint efforts and building on the result achieved to advance cooperation and economic integration among the GCC. Bahin hosted the second edition of the Hwar Circle on the Hwar Island organized by the council for international dispute resolution with a participant of prominent figures in the field of arbitration from around the world. More in this report. >> Building on the success of last year's inaugural edition, the Bahin Council for International Dispute Resolution continues its efforts to strengthen the foundational standards of international arbitration, drawing inspiration from the centinary principles of the chartered institute of arbitrators in London. The Howard circle started last year. So this is the second edition of the Howard circle which is a gathering of the leading um specialists from the space of international law and international disputes. And so this is the second time that the summit the circle is coming together to reimagine what the rule of law international law and dispute resolution should look like. It is historic. It has never been done in the space of international disputes. And so Bahrain is the very first since then to do something transformative and it's a it's a good day for Bahin. >> This is my second year uh participating in the Hawas circle. I was pleased to be here last year and and delighted to return this year. I'm looking forward to lots of interesting discussion and conversation about how we can shape and improve the practice of international arbitration not just for Bahrain and in the region but more broadly across the globe where Bahrain really is uh one of the principal drivers and thought leaders in international arbitration. The idea behind the initiative is rooted in historical traditions and pivotal international meetings, most notably the 1961 Geneva meeting known as the Shambi circle which paved the way for the establishment of the international council for commercial arbitration. Today, the Kingdom of Bahrain is continuing this approach in building a modern framework for international cooperation. Bahrain has gathered the brightest lights of international arbitration from all over the world for the second time now at the Hower Circle. We are gathered here to have candid conversations and brainstorming about the most important issues and challenges in international arbitration and to try to devise practical reforms and improvements of the system that we will then share with the rest of the arbitral community. Participants in this year's edition focused primarily on three key areas within the arbitration system. Immunity, professional ethics, and the right of representation in international arbitration. These intensive sessions aim to address practical challenges and develop existing mechanisms to ensure they keep pace with global changes to enhance the efficiency and fairness of commercial dispute resolution proceedings. I think what is important about the Hawa circle is that it's not just one of those general generic conferences that are held all over the world where one generally talks about arbitration. uh the group of people that have been selected uh will do a deep dive into fundamental issues and problems surrounding international arbitration and um in a in a in a relaxed setting with free uh uh interaction of ideas and I genuinely believe that something special will come out of it. Over three days of discussions and the exchange of expertise, the outcomes of these meetings will refine and develop the principles of dialogue which were launched during the initiative's inaugural edition. These principles remain subject to extensive global review and consultation, paving the way for their adoption in their final definitive form as an international reference guiding arbitration practices for years to come. Under Bahrain's presidency of the 46th session of the GCC Supreme Council, the CEO of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority, S. Bahi chaired a preparatory meeting of tourism under secretaries ahead of the 10th meeting of the GCC tourism ministers held via video conference. The meeting reviewed joint health action to strengthen the tourism sector across member states and follow up on initiatives and programs under the sector support plan including joint tourism promotion, media initiatives and development of the GCC tourism data dashboard. Discussion also covered joint promotional programs and marketing campaigns, exchange of expertise and data on tourism statistics and the unified GCC tourist guide license. As part of the government's effort to improve the quality of services, the Supreme Council for the Environment has developed the application service for importing refrigerant and units as a new digital service. The CEO of the council Amnari affirmed that the service forms part of the SCE's adoption of innovative digital solution which aims to enhance efficiency of monitoring the import of refrigerants and air conditioning and refrigeration units by automating verification and review procedures. She said that the launch of the service reflects the council's commitment to continuing to develop its service in a manner that reduce time and effort for institution and enhance the effectiveness of the work system. [music] Heat. Heat. [music] [music] Heat. [music] [music] Heat. >> [music] >> Bahin's pres parliamentary division in cooperation with the GCC general secretarate held a remote joint Gulf parliamentary seminar on the digital economy. The chairman of the parliamentary coordination and foreign relation committee and shur council member Sadak al rahma emphasized the importance of the topic as it directly linked to the present and future of Gulf economics amid current challenges. The legislative council of the GCC presented working papers on digital economic integration among the GCC states promoting research and innovation cooperation and technology and initiatives and recommendations on digital economic integration among the GCC. The Bahin parliamentary division presented a working paper covering national legislation in the kingdom in addition to the two council recept of international award and high ranking for digital maturity. And finally, Bahin marks International Literacy Day, reflecting on an educational journey spanning more than a century during which it has moved from literacy and adult education initiatives to establishing the concept of continuing education and lifelong learning. More in this report. On International Literacy Day, Bahrain stands before figures that reflect the fruit of a long journey. In 2024, the literacy rate among people aged 15 and over reached 97.2%. Among young people, the figure neared fully coverage at 99.25%. Behind these numbers lies a story that began decades ago. In 1919, formal public education in the Kingdom of Bahin began with the opening of Khalifi school. By 1928, the reach of education extended to girls with the first government school for girls open. In the 1930s, community initiatives to combat electricity and teach adults began to take shape, gradually evolving into a more organized system. In 1973, the Ministry of Education assumed responsibility for this file, later developing into the Directorate of Continuing Education. In this context came the insca al- Khalifa prize for the use of ICT in education embodying the kingdom's focus on hardening technology to expand learning opportunities. Today Bahrain continues his educational journey moving from literacy to knowledge creation and from learning letters to lifelong learning.