Diplomats, military leaders, and experts to discuss regional issues

TDT | Manama

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The much-anticipated Middle East Security Summit 2024 brings together top diplomats, military leaders, and experts to discuss key regional issues. The event opens today with a welcome address by Dr. Bastian Giegerich, Director-General and Chief Executive of IISS, who will set the stage for the summit’s discussions.

HH Prince Faisal

The summit will feature a Special Keynote Address by His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia.

First Plenary Session: 20 Years of Dialogue

The summit’s first plenary session, titled “20 Years of Dialogue,” will be chaired by Dr. Giegerich and will feature Sir John Chipman, Executive Chairman of IISS. This session will reflect on two decades of regional diplomatic dialogue, assessing how partnerships have evolved and how regional and global powers have worked together to address Middle Eastern security concerns.

Political and Military Responses to Conflict

The summit’s second plenary session will explore “Political and Military Responses to Conflict.” Dr. Giegerich will chair the session, with speakers including Dr. Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Defence of Singapore, Ararat Mirzoyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, and General Walaa Adel Aboelfarag, Assistant Minister of Defence for Foreign Affairs in Egypt.

The discussion will focus on how political and military responses have evolved in the face of ongoing regional conflicts and the need for multi-pronged strategies to ensure peace and security.

Private Ministerial Lunch

A private Ministerial Lunch will follow, providing an opportunity for delegates and ministers to engage in off-the-record discussions, fostering deeper cooperation and strategic planning.

Third Plenary Session: Initiatives for Regional Peace

The afternoon will continue with the third plenary session, “Initiatives for Regional Peace,” chaired by Dr. Giegerich. The session will feature Sameh Shoukry, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, and Sven Koopmans, Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process at the European Union. The focus will be on current initiatives designed to promote peace in the region, emphasizing the importance of political cooperation and economic development as part of comprehensive peace-building efforts.

Fourth Plenary Session: International Approaches to Middle East Security

The final session of the day, “International Approaches to Middle East Security,” will be chaired by Sir John Chipman and will include contributions from prominent leaders such as Dr. Tobias Lindner, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in Germany, Hamish Falconer, Minister for the Middle East at the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Nuh Yılmaz, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, and Anne Neuberger, Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology at the U.S. National Security Council.

This session will address how international actors can collaborate on enhancing security in the Middle East, with a special focus on emerging threats like cyber security