D. Tawfiq Al-Sibai
The sublime speech of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the great king of the country, may God protect and preserve him, came at the opening of the fourth session of the sixth legislative term, as a document of direction and a balance of priorities, to draw a framework of values and a future to be formulated in the guidance of the Constitution and the National Action Charter, building on the Bahraini experience in good governance based on Sharia, Shura, justice and charity. This harmony between heritage and modernity is the key to reading the next stage.
On this solid basis, the speech was launched to establish the basis of joint action between the executive and legislative authorities under the supervision of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, may God protect him, praising this cooperation that has resulted in qualitative legislation that meets national ambitions. Foremost among these are the expected amendments to the law regulating the press, printing and publishing, in a way that enhances the constitutional value of freedom of opinion and expression and raises the status of the national media. Here the royal vision for responsible and modern media that keeps pace with digital transformation is evident.
In parallel with consolidating the rules of institutional work, the speech placed the Bahraini person at the heart of the development equation: he is the real wealth and the face of the civilized nation, and he is the primary beneficiary of every policy and project. In this context, praise came for the initiative announced by His Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister to expand career options for job seekers in partnership with the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the private sector, in a way that increases national participation in the labor market and turns economic empowerment into a daily practice. A clear message that development is the action of a society and a state together, not a government program alone.
As for the priorities of this stage, they start from preserving the comprehensive national identity and rejecting manifestations of fanaticism and foreign loyalties, then proceeding on the path of scientific and cognitive development leading to empowerment and industrial and productive diversification. With the optimal use of artificial intelligence technologies in education, health, manufacturing and urban development, investing in renewable energy, exploring opportunities in space, preserving natural resources from the wildlife environment and agriculture to marine resources, all the way to preserving the pearl trade that has associated Bahrain’s name with authenticity.
The speech links these priorities to young human capital: His Majesty, may God support him, praised the contributions of young Bahraini cadres who are being followed and supported by His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, most notably the successful launch of the Bahraini satellite “Al-Mundhir.” This confirms the readiness of national competencies to lead scientific and economic transformation and assume responsibility through broader training and work opportunities, so that achievement becomes an institutional culture.
Regarding foreign policy, the speech renewed Bahrain’s commitment to just and comprehensive peace, and placed the Palestinian issue at the top of the Kingdom’s priorities during its non-permanent membership in the Security Council (2026-2027), affirming the two-state solution as a path to the security and prosperity of the region, and praising the efforts of the mediators to stop the war in Gaza. In this context, the participation of His Majesty the King, may God protect and preserve him, in the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit was an extension of his continuing role in supporting efforts aimed at ending conflicts and enhancing regional stability, and a translation of his lofty call – since the outbreak of the war in Gaza – to hold a peace conference in the Middle East.
The speech also placed comprehensive security in the status of a pillar without which development cannot occur. It praised the readiness of the defense and security forces and their armament with the latest capabilities to protect gains and sovereignty. In an equation that links security with prosperity and realizes that protecting the investment and innovation environment begins with a secure state with well-established institutions.
The speech concluded by affirming the compass of the national project: Bahraini people first; Our true wealth and the civilized face of our country wherever it goes. From this base, policies follow – from modernizing legislation and media, to empowering youth, to accelerating economic and digital diversification – so that Bahrain remains a destination for goodness and peace and a center for creativity and leadership. We are faced with a practical guidance document that obliges institutions and individuals to translate principles into programs, partnership into results, and identity into daily action that protects unity and unleashes energies.
