His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, recently met with Lieutenant General (Retd) Sir Thomas Beckett, the outgoing Executive Director of IISS–Middle East, at Gudaibiya Palace. During the meeting, HRH Prince Salman emphasized the importance of initiatives that strengthen international partnerships to address global challenges and promote global security and peace. He also welcomed Air Marshal (Retd) Martin Sampson, the newly appointed Executive Director of IISS–Middle East, and commended Lt Gen (Retd) Sir Tom Beckett for his efforts during his tenure.
HRH Prince Salman praised the Kingdom of Bahrain’s long-standing cooperation with IISS, highlighting the success of the Manama Dialogue over the past 19 years as a significant regional and international forum. He stressed the pivotal role of IISS in supporting strategies that enhance regional and global security and stability. Lt Gen (Retd) Sir Tom Beckett and Air Marshal (Retd) Martin Sampson expressed their gratitude to His Royal Highness for his commitment to strengthening cooperation between Bahrain and IISS and his support of the Manama Dialogue.
The meeting was also attended by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and the Minister of Cabinet Affairs, HE Hamad bin Faisal Al Malki. It is evident from the discussions that Bahrain places great importance on international partnerships and collaborations to address pressing global issues and promote peace and security. The ongoing success of the Manama Dialogue and the Kingdom’s cooperation with IISS highlight Bahrain’s commitment to being a key player in regional and international affairs.
The visit of Lt Gen (Retd) Sir Tom Beckett and the appointment of Air Marshal (Retd) Martin Sampson as the new Executive Director of IISS–Middle East reflect the continued efforts to strengthen ties between Bahrain and IISS. His Royal Highness Prince Salman’s endorsement of these initiatives underscores the importance of international partnerships in addressing global challenges. The support and commitment shown by Bahrain leadership towards initiatives like the Manama Dialogue demonstrate the country’s role as a key player in promoting peace and stability in the region.
Overall, the meeting between HRH Prince Salman and the IISS officials highlights the importance of collaboration and partnership in addressing global security challenges. It also underscores Bahrain’s commitment to fostering strong international relationships and playing a significant role in promoting peace and stability in the region. As Bahrain continues to engage with international organizations like IISS, it is clear that the Kingdom is dedicated to being a key player in advancing global security and addressing pressing issues facing the international community.