His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the weekly Cabinet meeting where congratulations were extended to His Majesty King Hamad on the momentous 50th anniversary of the Royal Bahraini Air Force. During the session, the Cabinet also conveyed heartfelt greetings for the upcoming Eid Al Adha holiday. These well wishes were specifically directed to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the esteemed citizens and residents of Bahrain, and the broader Arab and Islamic nations, reflecting a spirit of unity and celebration. The meeting addressed a full agenda covering key national and international affairs, as is customary for the weekly gathering, showing the government's continuous engagement with critical issues.
RBAF's Golden Jubilee and Security Contributions
The Cabinet acknowledged His Majesty King Hamad's profound strategic vision for its key role in establishing the Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF) five decades ago. This recognition came as the RBAF marked its 50th anniversary, a significant milestone in the kingdom's defense history. The Cabinet further noted the RBAF's significant and vital contributions to safeguarding the kingdom's security and stability over its half-century of operation, emphasizing its unwavering commitment to national defense. The acknowledgement noted the Air Force's enduring commitment to its national duties, which have been instrumental in maintaining peace and order throughout the years. The RBAF's dedicated personnel and advanced capabilities have consistently ensured the protection of Bahrain's airspace and strategic interests.
Diplomatic Engagements and International Praise
The Bahraini Cabinet noted His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's active participation in a telephone call with US President Donald Trump, alongside calls with leaders from various regional and international countries, noting Bahrain's proactive diplomacy. The Cabinet commended President Trump's efforts, which were specifically aimed at strengthening stability and advancing understanding between different parties, recognizing the importance of international cooperation. It also praised Pakistan's dedicated efforts to achieve a memorandum of understanding among all relevant parties, signaling support for diplomatic solutions to regional challenges. These international engagements reflect Bahrain's commitment to fostering dialogue and stability on both regional and global stages.
Cabinet members were briefed on the full outcomes of Bahrain's participation in the inaugural summit of the Alliance for Europe – Gulf Geopolitics and Investments Summit (AEGGIS), an important forum for strategic collaboration. Additionally, the Cabinet received detailed briefings regarding Bahrain's involvement in the 125th meeting of the Financial and Economic Co-operation Committee of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the 9th meeting of the Permanent Ministerial Preparatory Committee for the Economic and Development Affairs Authority, showcasing its active role in regional economic integration. Further updates included the results of Bahrain's participation in the 93rd General Session of the World Organisation for Animal Health, showing its commitment to global health standards. The Cabinet was also informed about the positive results of Bahrain's engagement in the World Urban Forum (WUF13), which focused on sustainable urban development. These briefings collectively demonstrated Bahrain's active and influential presence across various international platforms, addressing economic, environmental, and developmental concerns.
Domestic Progress and Future Initiatives
The Cabinet commended Bahrain’s strong performance at the 4th GCC Games, which recently concluded in Doha, celebrating the athletic achievements of its citizens. Further, the Cabinet noted the significant progress achieved in the GCC-UK Free Trade Agreement following intensive negotiations that culminated in the signing of a Joint Statement, signaling a move towards enhanced economic ties. This agreement is expected to bolster trade and investment opportunities between the GCC member states and the United Kingdom.
During its session, the Cabinet reviewed the annual report and audited financial statements of the Unemployment Insurance Fund for the 2025 fiscal year, ensuring transparency and accountability in financial management. It also reviewed a draft law specifying the government entities responsible for implementing laws, a measure designed to ensure clarity, efficiency, and streamlined governance. A memorandum of understanding between the Education Ministry and INJAZ Bahrain was thoroughly reviewed, outlining ambitious plans to provide full programmes, practical training workshops, and to actively promote volunteering and teamwork among public school students, fostering future leadership and civic engagement.
The Cabinet also reviewed the government’s full response to several proposals that had been submitted by Parliament, demonstrating the executive branch's engagement with legislative initiatives. Additionally, it reviewed the progress of the Council for Regulating the Practice of Engineering Professions’ efforts during 2025, ensuring that professional standards are maintained and advanced within the engineering sector. Finally, the Cabinet reviewed the strategic priorities of the Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry under the Government Programme for 2023-2026, outlining key objectives for these vital sectors in the coming years. This review process shows the government's commitment to continuous improvement and strategic planning across all ministries and public bodies.
