Foreign Minister meets heads of overseas diplomatic missions on Bahrain’s UN Security Council membership
Manama, Dec. 31 (BNA): Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a meeting via video conference with the Kingdom of Bahrain’s heads of diplomatic missions abroad, senior ministry officials, and the team responsible for United Nations Security Council affairs in New York and at the ministry. The meeting focused on preparations for Bahrain’s non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for 2026–2027.
Dr. Al Zayani said the Kingdom’s membership represents a historic milestone for the country’s diplomacy and reflects the approach of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, centred on promoting peace and regional and global stability. He highlighted Bahrain’s ongoing diplomatic achievements, including the 2019 "Peace for Prosperity" workshop, signing the Abraham Accords, hosting the 33rd Arab Summit in 2024 and the resulting the Sakhir Declaration supporting the recognition of the State of Palestine, leading the current Gulf Cooperation Council session, and the Kingdom’s active role during its Security Council membership starting January, leading to Bahrain’s chairmanship of the Arab League Council at the ministerial level in March 2026, followed by its Security Council presidency in April of the same year.
The Foreign Minister outlined the Kingdom’s priorities on the Security Council, which include Arab issues especially the Palestinian cause situations in Sudan, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, and Yemen, international conflicts, cybersecurity, maritime security, and the role of women and youth in peace and security. He highlighted that Bahrain aims to propose practical initiatives that address the root causes of crises and support youth through education, health, and protection from extremism.
He noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ preparations for the membership included selecting and training diplomatic staff on relevant files, conducting joint simulations between the New York team and the ministry headquarters team to improve working mechanisms, and speeding up the process of forming positions and obtaining directives. He highlighted that 12 diplomats were chosen to handle key files at the UN mission, supported by internal ministry teams to ensure continuous communication and more efficient responses to matters raised in the Security Council.
Dr. Al Zayani emphasised that during the preparation phase, Bahrain coordinated with several Arab countries, including the Kingdom of Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, to develop a sustainable Arab approach in the Security Council. He noted that this approach aims to strengthen consistency in Arab positions across successive terms and reinforce Arab diplomacy in addressing peace and security issues, and it has received strong support and approval from partner countries.
The Foreign Minister underlined the importance of continuing to work as a unified team Team Bahrain across the ministry and its missions abroad. He highlighted that the Kingdom’s success in the Security Council, and in its current chairmanship of the GCC, reflects the strength of Bahraini diplomacy as a whole. He called for enhanced communication, exchange of expertise, and close monitoring of Bahrain’s performance at the Security Council to support national objectives and demonstrate the Kingdom’s competence and capabilities regionally and internationally.
He reiterated Bahrain’s firm commitment to supporting peace and human solidarity, working towards a safer and more stable international future, and expressed confidence that joint efforts will make the year one of significant achievements. He noted that these efforts reflect the vision of His Majesty the King and the careful guidance of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, advancing Bahrain’s standing in international forums.
The meeting ended with remarks and suggestions from the heads of diplomatic missions on the start of the Kingdom’s non-permanent membership in the Security Council.
