THE coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, regional security and Iran’s nuclear ambitions will be some of the issues in the spotlight at the Middle East’s premier security summit being held in Bahrain next month.
The 16th edition of the Manama Dialogue, organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), will be held at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain from December 4 to 6.
It will be the first foreign policy, defence and security summit to be convened physically since the beginning of the year.
The annual summit will be held in a hybrid format this year, meaning a reduced number of delegates will attend in person while other delegates, from around the world, will take part virtually.
“The dialogue will convene in a hybrid format,” IISS executive director Middle East Lt Gen (retd) Sir Tom Beckett told the GDN.
Overseas delegates expected to attend include policymakers, military leaders and senior government ministers.
Over the years the summit has seen a participation of 500-plus delegates from around the world.
The IISS is working with authorities in Bahrain on safety guidelines with regard to rapid Covid-19 testing of delegates, social distancing measures at the five-star hotel and compulsory use of face masks.
Sir Tom said a smaller number of delegates will be allowed to enter the conference area this year compared to previous years.
“The health and well-being of the IISS Manama Dialogue delegations and the population of Bahrain are of paramount concern.
“The government’s Covid-19 measures will be adhered to, in order to minimise risk.”
Delegates from around the world taking part virtually via the specially commissioned online platform for this year’s Manama Dialogue will be given a unique log-in credential to watch the plenary discussions and contribute to the question-and-answer sessions.
“The focus is on government delegations both for the policy statements that senior ministers and officials will make and also to facilitate bilateral and multilateral engagement,” added Sir Tom.
“In the same way that the number of delegates will be reduced, the size of delegations will be kept deliberately small.
“We will extend delegate places to a small number of the expert, opinion forming and business communities so that there is effective and useful discussion.”
Praising Bahrain’s response to the pandemic, Sir Tom said speakers and delegates attending in person should have confidence in the safety measures that will be applied by the government, the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain and the IISS.”
He added that the agenda of the summit has been amended to reflect its hybrid format with sessions streamed online.
“There appears to be keen interest at very senior levels to attend the dialogue.
“It should not be forgotten that this will be the first foreign policy, defence and security summit to convene physically since the beginning of the year.”
Sir Tom said the summit had received a good response, but would not divulge the names of the participants.
The event kicks off with a televised debate on December 4, followed by an opening plenary session the following day entitled, ‘Global Governance in the wake of the Covid-19 Pandemic’.
Other sessions cover topics such as ‘US policy in an Era of Global Competition’, ‘Middle East Security in a Global Context’ and ‘Conflict Resolution in the Middle East’.
Plenary sessions on the last day will focus on ‘Nuclear Proliferation and Iran’, ‘Defence Diplomacy and Modernisation in the Middle East’ and ‘Security Co-operation after the Covid-19 Pandemic’.
sandy@gdn.com.bh
&uuid=(email))