‘More countries to be part’ of Manama Dialogue 2018

More countries will be part of this year’s Manama Dialogue when compared to its previous editions, organisers revealed yesterday. The 14th International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Regional Security Summit: The Manama Dialogue 2018 will be held from October 26 to 28.

The organisers have described the forum as a platform for some of the most powerful policymakers from the Middle East and beyond to find ways to address the region’s most pressing challenges. IISS Middle East executive director Lieutenant General (Retired) Sir Thomas Beckett yesterday revealed further details of the event. “We have a list of key delegates from last year who are returning this year.

There will be more participating countries we are also aiming for more officials from the ministerial level this time,” he said. When asked how many countries are participating this time, he said that the final participator’s list has not been drafted. “We are still close to two months away so we are expecting more participants to confirm as the time gets closer.”

He said that the event will enable bilateral talks between governments “A ‘bilateral manager’ is provided to assist Ministers or key delegates from different governments to meet. The event is a concentrated opportunity for government officials to conduct bilateral engagements,” he said.

“The IISS has been hosted incredibly well by the Kingdom of Bahrain. We, of course, take pride in what we bring to the Kingdom. The Kingdom’s convening power, its soft-power for bringing people in is very much an aspect for the Dialogues’ success. “If it weren’t for the efforts and contributions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the support of His Majesty and the Crown prince, this would not be the forum it is.

I am happy to say that Bahrain’s contribution is significant.” The forum’s first day will feature the opening ceremony and a televised plenary debate. The second day’s plenary sessions include ‘US Policy in a Changing Middle East’, ‘Shifting Relationships and the Emerging Middle Eastern Order’, ‘Conflict and Diplomacy in the Middle East’, ‘Stabilization and Reconstruction in the Middle East’ and Preventing and Countering Transnational Threats.