Bahrain's flag will continue to proudly fly high thanks to the responsible awareness of its people, His Majesty King Hamad said yesterday.
In a keynote speech after inaugurating the third session of the sixth legislative term of the Shura Council and Parliament, His Majesty spoke about cementing national unity, speeding up vital projects, enhancing food security and the use of modern technology to strengthen national progress.
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, was present at the inauguration.
His Majesty delivers his speech
The King was welcomed on arrival at the Isa Cultural Centre by Parliament Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam and Shura Council Chairman Ali Saleh Al Saleh.
The royal anthem was played, and verses of the Holy Quran were recited.
His Majesty said that Bahrain has remained committed during his reign to safeguarding ‘our supreme national interests in the state of institutions and law’.
“Today, we take pride in its renewed developmental architecture and its harmonious society that strives for further progress,” he added.
The King noted the efforts of the government, under the leadership and guidance of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to adopt the best administrative and organisational practices to ensure the highest quality of public services.
“In this context, we underscore the importance of completing the plans derived from the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030, whose results are delivering remarkable development,” he said.
“We direct that work is accelerated on its next version for the year 2050, which should provide a renewed vision for the future of our country and its generations, to maintain its advanced position as a modern state that is committed to the values of Islamic Sharia, strengthening its national bonds and fortifying its identity as a fundamental component of comprehensive development and early national education.”
His Majesty ordered competent authorities to conduct a comprehensive study to measure national readiness to consolidate the Bahraini identity.
“This should ensure that all its elements are embraced wherever we head, to enable us to maintain the balance between the requirements of openness and advancement, and of protecting our national security in its integrated form – particularly with regard to the security and investment of our natural resources to secure a sustainable future of abundance.”
The King expressed satisfaction with the efforts to enhance food security and in employing modern technologies, including artificial intelligence.
He praised the solid national determination embodied by Bahrain’s workforce and the courage and sacrifices of its armed personnel.
His Majesty also highlighted Bahrain’s recent sporting achievements including the winning of an unprecedented number of Olympic medals.
Bahrain “is committed to the duty of solidarity and co-operation in support of Arab causes, and to striving resolutely and earnestly for the good of humanity and the harmony between its societies, in order to achieve world peace that must be restored in such difficult times,” the King said.
He stressed the need for an immediate cessation of the war in the Gaza strip, and the resumption of all diplomatic efforts to achieve a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution.
“Ending the clashes has become an urgent necessity, especially as the fires of the war have reached Lebanon,” he pointed out.
“In this regard, we renew the call of the Kingdom of Bahrain, adopted by the last Arab Summit, to hold an expanded and urgent conference or meeting to restore hope for achieving the desired peace.
“Amid these challenging regional circumstances, we thank God for the unity and cohesion of our authentic Bahraini society, and its responsible national awareness that makes it more resilient and determined to enhance its national integrity, becoming stronger despite the dangers surrounding it,” he said.
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