Bahrain participates in Global Think Tank Summit 2018

Brussels, Nov. 10 (BNA): Board of Trustees Chairman of Bahrain Centre for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (DERASAT) Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa participated in the opening of the Global Think Tank Summit 2018 in the Belgian capital, Brussels. The summit was organised by the American University of Pennsylvania from November 7 to 9. In one of the summit’s sessions, Dr. Shaikh Abdullah underlined the key role played by the think tanks in backing policies aimed at promoting peace and serving sustainable development. He also pointed out the active role of the civil society institutions in handling various challenges. He pointed out a call by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on think tanks to contribute to shaping the present and future by working out long-term strategies that match the renewable and comprehensive reform process and boost security and stability in the Middle East. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah also cast light on cross-border challenges like security threats in light of major regional and international changes and the spread of terrorism and extremism under the support of rogue countries. He pointed out that a victory on ISIS (Daesh) does not mean an imminent end to terrorism as sources of extremist ideology are still active and terrorism evolves and takes non-traditional ways. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah spoke about the risks of hot spots in the Middle East, calling to establish a link between security, growth and reform so as to work out an active and sustainable strategy. He pointed out that DERASAT had taken the initiative, in cooperation with many think tanks to launch a document titled “Thought in the Service of Peace and Growth” which aims to promote peace, sustainable development and moderation.