Bahrain Radio programme focuses on Bahraini diplomats’ achievements, aspirations

Manama, Aug. 28 (BNA): Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Dr Shaikha Rana bint Isa Al Khalifa will next week highlight her experience in the diplomacy. Shaikha Rana will also highlight her status as the first foreign ministry undersecretary in the region as the guest of Bahrain Radio talk programme to be aired on Tuesday at 5 pm on Bahrain Radio 102.3 FM. Shaikha Rana made history in October 2017 when His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa appointed her the first woman undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The appointment was a major boost for the status of women in the Kingdom where they have been enjoying an impressive array of rights that has allowed them to become ministers, ambassadors and judges. Prior to this position, Shaikha Rana was Assistant Undersecretary for Arab and Afro-Asian Affairs and Organisations at the foreign ministry, a post she held since April 2011 after she was promoted from her position as Acting Director of Information, Research and Studies. In 2007, she was advisor at the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ office. From 1998 until 2007, her career focused on law, academic research and international studies at the University of Bahrain and in the US. Shaikha Rana holds a PhD in International Law from the University of Exeter, a Master of Arts in Peace and Conflict Resolution from the American University, Washington, and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations, also from the American University, Washington. The “Diplomatic Dialogue” programme invites diplomats to talk about their personal lives and their careers. The guests shed light on their academic achievements and careers, review distinguished diplomatic moments in their careers, talk about their personal interests and activities away from diplomacy and share their visions, dreams and aspirations for the future. The programme has hosted Waheed Al Sayyar, the Foreign Ministry Undersecretary for Regional and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Affairs, Tawfeeq Ahmed Al Mansoor, the Assistant Undersecretary for Western Countries and Afro-Asian Affairs, and Salah Ali Al Maliki, Bahrain’s Ambassador to Kuwait and the first Bahraini Ambassador to Iraq following an 18-year diplomatic hiatus.