The Gulf is one of the pillars upon which global stability rests, it has been declared.
The security of energy and international trade are all directly connected to the stability of this vital region, Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa said yesterday.
In his opening remarks at the inaugural Abu Dhabi Global Sustainable Security Summit 2026, he pointed out that data security is first line of defence for state sovereignty and societal stability.
Tensions in the Gulf no longer remain confined to its borders but have repercussions for global markets and international societies, which makes its security an international necessity for safeguarding collective security, the minister said.
“Data has become a strategic resource. The ability to transform raw information into swift and accurate decisions is now one of the most critical tools for protecting states,” he said.
“Our region is passing through a delicate moment that demands the highest degree of wisdom and responsibility.”
Bahrain firmly believes that the future will belong to those who are best prepared, most capable of building trust, the minister added.
“We are moving beyond the concept of ‘reaction’ towards a model of real-time operational awareness, one of the defining transformations in the concept of modern security.”
Bahrain has placed cybersecurity at the heart of its national security framework, he pointed out.
Delays in detecting cybercrime are no longer measured in hours, but rather by the scale of the losses that could be inflicted on an entire country in a matter of minutes, he stressed.
“Organised crime now moves at the speed of technology, and international co-operation must move at the same pace. In fact, even faster.”
The security summit continues until tomorrow at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.
It represents a new international platform launched in response to the rapidly evolving global security landscape and the growing need to build more resilient and sustainable security systems.
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