Foreign Minister heads Bahrain delegation to 34th Arab Summit in Baghdad
Baghdad, May 17 (BNA): Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, headed the Kingdom of Bahrain’s delegation to the 34th Arab League Summit hosted by the Republic of Iraq.
In his address during the opening session, the Minister conveyed greetings from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and extended their wishes for the success of the summit. He expressed appreciation to President Dr. Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, the Iraqi government, and people for their hospitality and excellent organisation.
He also thanked Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General of the League of Arab States, and the staff of the General Secretariat for their efforts in advancing joint Arab action and for their cooperation during Bahrain’s presidency of the 33rd Arab Summit.
The Minister said that Bahrain was honoured to chair the 33rd Summit, during which it worked to enhance Arab cooperation through initiatives focused on peace, stability, and sustainable development. He highlighted Bahrain’s initiatives adopted at the summit, including support for the Palestinian people’s right to establish an independent state and gain full UN membership.
He added that the initiatives also included providing educational and healthcare services to those affected by regional conflicts, and enhancing Arab cooperation in financial technology and digital transformation. He affirmed Bahrain’s commitment to implementing these initiatives through Arab cooperation frameworks and international partnerships.
He underscored Bahrain’s support for the "Global Alliance for Implementation of the Two-State Solution" led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Egypt’s plan for early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza adopted at the Cairo " Palestine Summit". He stressed adherence to ceasefire agreements, the release of hostages and detainees, the full and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, and the safeguarding of Palestinians’ right to remain on their land as a fundamental and legitimate right.
Dr. Al Zayani noted that the summit convenes amid complex regional and international challenges, underscoring the need to uphold the principles outlined in the Bahrain Declaration and the Charter of the Arab League. He stressed the importance of continuing efforts to reach peaceful and consensual solutions to the crises affecting many Arab countries, and called for the establishment of a comprehensive security framework that safeguards the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of regional states, protects their national security from extremism, terrorism, and external interference, and ensures the security and safety of maritime navigation.
He congratulated Syria on the lifting of US sanctions and commended Saudi Arabia’s efforts and the success of the recent GCC–US Summit in Riyadh.
He also emphasised the importance of investing Arab resources in joint development projects, supporting food, water, and environmental security, and maximising the use of renewable energy and digital technologies to advance sustainable development.
He expressed the Kingdom of Bahrain’s deep appreciation for the support of fellow Arab countries for Bahrain’s candidacy for non-permanent membership on the United Nations Security Council. He also thanked them for backing Bahrain’s initiative to establish the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence, which reflects a shared commitment to promoting tolerance, peace, and human coexistence, and to advocating just causes in international forums.
At the conclusion of his remarks, Dr. Al Zayani handed over the presidency of the summit to President Abdul Latif Rashid of Iraq, wishing him success and expressing hope that the summit would produce constructive outcomes that promote Arab unity and serve shared interests.
Bahrain’s delegation included Khaled Yousif Al Jalahma, Undersecretary for Political Affairs; Fawzia bint Abdulla Zainal, Ambassador to Egypt and Permanent Representative to the Arab League; Khalid Ahmed Al Mansour, Ambassador to Iraq; Fayez Hashem Al Sada, Assistant Undersecretary for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Finance and National Economy; and other accompanying officials.
