Manama : Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister, inaugurated the Conference on Engineering and Innovation for Sustainable Food Security, organised by the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture in cooperation with the Bahrain Society of Engineers, alongside the Bahrain International Production Show “Mara’ee 2026”.
Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah affirmed that the Kingdom attaches great importance to enhancing food security as a national priority supporting sustainable development, in line with the goals of the comprehensive development process led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
The Deputy Prime Minister noted that achieving sustainable food security is based on an integrated system of policies and programmes aimed at developing agricultural and livestock production, enhancing resource management efficiency, developing infrastructure, building human capacities and expanding the investment base. This ensures integration across the various related areas and enhances the efficiency of the food system and its ability to keep pace with changing circumstances.
Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah highlighted that Bahrain’s pioneering initiatives and projects to increase food availability, encourage investment in food industries and diversify supply sources represent a successful national approach that has proven effective in meeting domestic needs under all circumstances. These initiatives have also expanded opportunities for these vital sectors to contribute to the national economy.
The Deputy Prime Minister noted that building on these efforts would create opportunities to strengthen coordination among the various relevant entities, expand partnerships with academic and research institutions and the private sector, and benefit from scientific expertise and modern technologies in developing the food production system and advancing promising investment opportunities in this vital sector, thereby strengthening the foundations of long-term sustainability.
Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah commended the cooperation between the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture and the Bahrain Society of Engineers in organising the conference, describing it as a model of effective cooperation between the public sector and civil society institutions.
For his part, Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, thanked His Majesty the King for the continued support for the comprehensive development process, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister for the government’s outstanding efforts to develop the economic and productive sectors and strengthen public-private partnerships.
Minister Al Mubarak also thanked the Deputy Prime Minister for inaugurating the conference, describing this as reflecting Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah’s support for initiatives that contribute to developing the agricultural and livestock sectors and enhancing the sustainability of food production.
The minister explained that organising the conference for the first time alongside “Mara’ee 2026” represents a significant addition that strengthens the exhibition’s scientific and research dimensions. It also provides opportunities for cooperation to showcase the latest technologies and practices in agricultural and livestock production and discuss applicable engineering solutions and innovations, in support of national efforts to enhance food security and achieve sustainable development.
