Manama: Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, the Deputy Prime Minister, has been conferred the Development Pioneers Medal, awarded by the Arab Parliament to distinguished non-parliamentarians, as the first Arab official to receive this honour, in recognition of his contributions and valuable initiatives in the field of development at the national and Arab levels.
The Deputy Premier was honoured during a ceremony held by the Arab Parliament today at the headquarters of the Arab League in Cairo, Egypt, in the presence of the Speaker of the Arab Parliament, presidents and members of Arab legislative councils and parliaments, members of the Arab Parliament, and participants in the Sixth Conference of the Arab Parliament.
Addressing the ceremony, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla expressed his honour to dedicate the prestigious award to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalif, the leader of the kingdom’s comprehensive development process, for the trust that His Majesty had bestowed on him by paving the way for him to serve Bahrain in various fields of national action.
‘Fortunately, this occasion coincides with Bahrain’s celebration of the silver jubilee of His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne. The kingdom has made unprecedented development strides in various fields during HM the King’s prosperous era, thanks to the sound royal vision, which places the Bahraini citizens at the forefront of the development process, making them its main goal. All plans, programmes and projects implemented by the government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, are aimed at achieving the interests of the Bahraini citizens.”
The Deputy Premier stressed that the development process witnessed by Bahrain under His Majesty’s leadership has been strengthened by the belief in the political rights of individuals, the principle of consultation and popular participation in decision-making, contributing to the creation of an advanced parliamentary experience capable of adapting to various circumstances and changes and withstanding challenges, in addition to and a democratic system based on the separation of powers and their cooperation, while maintaining the rule of the constitution and the law.
Shaikh Khalid bin affirmed that Bahrain’s democratic experience has yielded a competent elite of members of society – men and women – who are able to engage in political work and enrich it with their prolific experiences, enabling them to lead the legislative work, and making their contributions go beyond local borders, as they are recognised and appreciated at the regional and international levels by allowing them to assume various responsibilities and high positions.
The Deputy Premier emphasised Bahrain’s support for parliamentary work in general, including the Arab Parliament, and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). He indicated that Bahrain’s hosting of the IPU’s General Assembly last year under HM’s patronage, confirms its commitment to strengthening international parliamentary work, promoting democracy, respecting human rights and encouraging constructive interaction among the components of the international community.
The Deputy Premier said that Bahrain has made real and tangible steps towards attaining many achievements in various fields of development, thanks to its ability to align sustainability goals and objectives with national plans and strategies, based on its Economic Vision 2030, which is based on three basic principles: sustainability, fairness and competitiveness.
“As Bahrain’s national will continues to achieve more successes in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, we look forward with optimism and hope to a better future for the country and its citizens, with the launch of Bahrain Economic Vision 2050 before the end of this year, as a new roadmap that reflects national ambitions and aspirations to keep pace with the various development paths and developments,’ Shaikh Khalid added.
The Deputy Prime Minister underlined the importance of development and the right of human beings to enjoy a safe and stable life in which human sanctity and dignity are respected, and social justice is guaranteed for everyone, adding that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip has worsened and deteriorated as a result of the Israeli war machine that has taken innocent lives.
This is an exceptional circumstance and a clear violation of the rules of international humanitarian law and resolutions of international legitimacy, which requires solidarity and the dedication of collective international action after the end of the asymmetrical war to develop a programme for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and the rehabilitation of its infrastructure, health, educational and housing facilities, Shaikh Khalid added.
The Deputy Prime Minister affirmed Bahrain’s firm position in support of the Palestinian cause, reiterating the kingdom’s call for achieving a just and lasting peace in the region, based on the two-state solution and the acceptance of Palestine as a full member of the United Nations, so that the brotherly Palestinian people can achieve their legitimate rights. He also emphasised the kingdom’s call for the international community to shoulder its humanitarian, moral and legal responsibilities to protect unarmed civilians and stop hostilities against the vulnerable Palestinian people.
The Deputy Premier highlighted the importance of the 33rd Arab Summit, set to be hosted by Bahrain on May 16, which will discuss, among other pressing issues, the need to urgently reach a clear policy to stop the escalation in the Middle East region and ensure the establishment of comprehensive and just peace, security and regional stability as a strategic principle to move forward with the process of sustainable development.
Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Arab Parliament for its initiative and kind gesture, and to all participants for the sincere sentiments they expressed on this occasion, which is a motivation to continue efforts and contribute effectively to enhancing the development of Arab societies and the sustainability of their resources.
Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla called on the Arab Parliament to adopt visions and proposals that support integration among Arab countries, with the aim of maximising the use of Arab human capital, providing favourable employment opportunities, promoting intra-Arab trade and investment exchange, as well as optimising the exploitation of wealth to achieve wider prosperity for the region and its peoples, in addition to focusing on development as an engine and driving force for change and improvement in the Arab homeland from the ocean to the Gulf.
Adel bin Abdulrahman Al Asoomi, the Speaker of the Arab Parliament, in a speech, expressed great pride in this well-deserved honour for the Deputy Prime Minister, and in being the first Arab official to receive the Development Pioneers Medal for distinguished Arab non-parliamentary figures, in recognition of his contributions and valuable initiatives in the field of development at the national and Arab levels.
Al Assoomi said: “As the Arab Parliament honours Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla with the Pioneers of Development Medal, it sends a message of gratitude and appreciation to him for the role he has played and continues to play in the field of sustainable development.”
He stressed that Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla has been able to participate and contribute wholeheartedly and effectively, alongside the loyal citizens of Bahrain, in the process of construction and modernisation since the era of His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the late Amir of the country.
He added that Shaikh Khalid, as the first Minister of Housing in 1975, was able to advance the social housing file to meet the vision of the leadership and achieve popular aspirations in the establishment and construction of cities and housing complexes.
Al Assoumi pointed out that Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla is a unique school in executive leadership and experienced management in government work, thanks to the skills he has acquired throughout his professional career, noting that his rich experiences have entitled him to be appointed as Deputy Prime Minister, to continue his national performance under the comprehensive development process witnessed by Bahrain under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the follow-up of HRH Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Al-Assoomi said.
The Speaker of the Arab Parliament praised the responsibilities undertaken by the Deputy Prime Minister, including his successful management of strategic development and infrastructure projects.
