The Deputy Prime Minister, HE Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, today chaired the weekly Cabinet Meeting at Gudaibiya Palace.
The Cabinet extended its congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on the victory of World Endurance Champion His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs and Captain of the Royal Endurance Team, after securing first place for the second consecutive time in the 160 km FEI World Endurance Championship held in Montpazière, France.
The Cabinet further extended its congratulations to the World Endurance Champion HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad on his victory, affirming the importance of HH Shaikh Nasser’s efforts in consolidating the Kingdom’s global standing in endurance sports.
The Cabinet highlighted HM the King’s Decree, pardoning 457 individuals on the occasion of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s Silver Jubilee, which marks 25 years since HM the King’s accession to the throne.
The Decree underscores HM the King’s commitment to fostering national unity and social cohesion, enabling the pardoned individuals to reintegrate within society, in line with human rights values and standards. Following HRH’s directives, the Cabinet has directed the Ministry of Labour to provide training programmes and job opportunities to the pardoned individuals, empowering them to contribute to the Kingdom’s comprehensive development and fulfil their social responsibilities.
The Cabinet stressed the importance of HM the King’s address upon receiving distinguished Bahraini citizens, which highlighted the Kingdom’s various national achievements aimed at advancing the country.
The Cabinet highlighted HM the King’s address, which recognised individuals excelling in Qur’an memorisation and recitation who have achieved leading positions in global competitions.
The Cabinet extended its congratulations to HM the King and HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister on Prophet Mohammed’s birth anniversary, wishing the Kingdom of Bahrain and Arab and Islamic nations many happy returns.
On the occasion of the International Day of Democracy, the Cabinet reaffirmed the Kingdom’s ongoing democratic process, supported by HM the King as part of the Kingdom’s comprehensive development.
In this regard, the Cabinet reviewed preparations by the Council of Representatives for the by-elections in the first constituency of Muharraq Governorate, scheduled on 7 September 2024, and directed the necessary measures to ensure its smooth implementation.
The Cabinet also congratulated Bahrain’s national basketball team on their victory in the 17th Gulf Championship in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Cabinet noted the Team’s advanced performance, which adds to the Kingdom’s portfolio of sports achievements by Team Bahrain.
The Cabinet then discussed several memorandums during the meeting, approving the following:
1. A memorandum submitted by the Civil Service Council regarding the restructuring of a government agency.
2. A memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs on a draft law amending the decree-law that regulates the fishing, exploitation, and protection of marine resources.
3. A memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs on an MoU between the Department of Agriculture and Animal Wealth at the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture and the Arab Gulf University to cooperate in scientific research and training in the agricultural field.
4. A memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs regarding an MoU between the Ministry of Works and Gulf University.
5. A memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs regarding an MoU between the Tender Board and Al Salam Bank on initiatives that support financing and guarantees for small and medium enterprises.
6. A memorandum submitted by the Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture regarding the completion of the Karzakan Beach and Walkway construction project.
7. A memorandum submitted by the Minister of Education on updating the educational infrastructure development plan for 2020-2030.
8. A memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs on the government’s response to three proposals and eight laws submitted by the Council of Representatives and four laws submitted by the Shura Council.
The Cabinet then reviewed a memorandum submitted by the Minister of Interior on the population census of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The Memo outlined that the Kingdom’s population at the end of 2023 was approximately 1,583,934 people, increasing in mid-2024 to approximately 1,588,670 people.
The Cabinet then took note of the following ministerial reports:
1. Outcomes of the Kingdom’s participation in the 36th Meeting of Agricultural Cooperation, Food Security Committee of GCC Countries.
2. Outcomes of the Kingdom’s participation in the work of the 10th Meeting of GCC Ministers of Social Affairs and Development.
3. Details on the start of the 2024-2025 academic year.
4. Outcomes of the Kingdom’s participation in the 15th edition of the UNESCO King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Prize for the Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in Education for 2023.
5. Outcomes of this year’s Youth City 2030, which was held during the period from 21 July 2024 to 29 August 2024.
6. Foreign visits by Bahraini Ministers, and the visits of foreign delegations to the Kingdom of Bahrain in September 2024.
BNA(R)