The first edition of the International Diplomats Program (IDP) 2019 concluded yesterday in a closing ceremony in the presence of ambassadors of countries accredited to Bahrain and Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials.
The IDP is a program through which the Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa Academy for Diplomatic Studies hosted diplomats from across the globe for two weeks.
In her opening speech, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Dr. Shaikha Rana bint Isa bin Duaij Al Khalifa praised the IDP and its various activities that contributed to strengthening the Kingdom’s relations with other countries.
The program’s mechanisms will enhance bilateral relations in line with the Kingdom’s foreign policy principles of mutual respect based on coordination and the adoption of peace based on the belief in the international responsibility in its role in the region, she added.
Dr. Shaikha Rana praised the cultural dimension of the program that consolidated the Bahrain’s interest in boosting cultural exchanges with other countries, further reflecting the Kingdom’s keenness on enhancing mutual understanding and international cooperation to preserve cultural values that are an integral part of the development and prosperity of humanity today.
The Chief Executive Officer of Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa Academy for Diplomatic Studies, Dr. Shaikha Muneera bint Khalifa Al Khalifa, highlighted in her speech the various experiences the diplomats lived during the program from their first to their last day.
She also expressed the academy’s great responsibility in hosting the international diplomats, commending the efforts exerted by the team that planned out the program in a way that offered the participants meaningful insights into the Kingdom’s political, economic, social, cultural, tourism and environmental features. The program also gave them the opportunity to go to ministries, institutions and companies, meet senior officials and learn about the details governing them as well as about each process related to the implementation of the Kingdom’s objectives.
Dr. Shaikha Muneera noted the importance of paying attention to the cultural and social resources of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the extent to which these resources are beneficial.
She highlighted the nature of living in Bahrain, a country that has been for ages characterized by noble human values, such as peaceful coexistence among all residents and stressed that Bahrain remains committed to the unique social coexistence within its important foundations and principles of peace in which it firmly believes.
Such values were confirmed during the visits made by the diplomats to the various places of worship in the Kingdom, which gave the Bahraini experience an exceptional specificity and a model to be emulated internationally and not only regionally, Dr Shaikha Muneera said.
Hector Alcantara Palacios from the Mexico said in his speech that Bahrain has exceeded his expectations, especially after having seen the Kingdom’s political experience during the IDP’s field trips, mainly the Council of Representatives.
He noted the role of the legislative branch in the Kingdom in reinforcing the democratic experiment and its commitment to the Bahraini social issues.
He also hailed the initiatives of the ministries and institutions that would help with the advancement and development of any society in the world and praised the government’s visions in which many parties participated and achieved their UN sustainable development goals.
The international diplomats had the opportunity to review the ambitious strategies of several entities in which the Kingdom is interested, which confirms Bahrain’s commitment to the United Nations and its specialized agencies.
Amongst the speakers was Monica Remsy Calangian from the Philippines who expressed in her speech her appreciation and gratitude for the hospitality they received and pointed out the Kingdom’s beautiful cultural and social features that she saw during her two-week stay. She also recalled the gracious welcome and the special moments during their visits to the Kingdom’s local landmarks, such as the Manama and Muharraq Suqs and their old alleys.
She also praised the culture of generosity that characterizes the hospitable Bahraini society all over the places and during all the visits and events.
At the end of the ceremony, Dr. Shaikha Rana presented commemorative shields to the diplomats for their participation in the first edition of the IDP program, wishing them further success in their careers.