Speakers, including high-level experts and officials participating in the sixth session of the Manama Dialogue which took place on 6–8 December 2024, underscored the importance of enhancing regional and international cooperation to achieve peace and stability.
They emphasised addressing security challenges through peaceful and sustainable means, understanding the root causes of crises, and highlighted the necessity of modernising military capabilities and fostering defence collaboration as essential measures to counter threats, uphold national sovereignty, and leverage global developments that create opportunities for cooperation.
The sixth plenary session, titled “Defence Challenges in a Complex World” featured Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, Hungarian Minister of Defence; Stephanie Beck, Canadian Deputy Minister of National Defence; and Admiral Renato Rodrigues de Aguiar Freire, Chief of the Joint Staff of the Brazilian Armed Forces; and Daniel Shapiro, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East, US.
The Hungarian Minister highlighted the role of diplomacy in defence and support issues in the Middle East and North Africa, stressing the importance of decision-making that contributes to conflict resolution.
He commended the roles of Bahrain and Hungary in adopting smart strategies rooted in global traditions and principles. The Minister also discussed the importance of achieving regional peace and the security challenges Europe faces due to crises in the East.
He also outlined Hungary’s efforts to modernise its military forces using advanced technologies, enhance its defence industry, and protect national interests amid current challenges and opportunities for collaboration and growth.
The Canadian Deputy Minister addressed the increasing global tensions and escalating conflicts and their impact on societies, particularly in Canada. She touched on challenges related to cyber interference and its influence on Canadian elections and civil society.
Beck noted the importance of investing in military capabilities to tackle these challenges and enhancing international cooperation to ensure resource sustainability and security.
The Chief of the Joint Staff of Brazil, spoke about the impact of technological revolutions, including artificial intelligence and robotics, on addressing military challenges. He noted the importance of modernising military capabilities and developing training to confront emerging challenges while highlighting the need for high-level collaboration across sectors for effective decision-making.
The Admiral emphasised the Amazon region as a natural defence frontier and the necessity of prioritising peace and regional stability.
During the session, speakers also examined the dimensions of recent wars and their effects on the region, noting the importance of closely monitoring military and political developments.
Daniel Shapiro, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East, highlighted the United States’ ongoing commitment to fostering regional security and strategic cooperation during his address at the 20th Manama Dialogue.
He underscored the enduring partnership between Bahrain and the United States, particularly in defense. Shapiro discussed the US-Bahrain Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA), signed in September 2023, which promotes collaboration not only in defense but also in science, technology, and trade.
Meantime, Speakers in the fifth session of the Manama Dialogue, “The Interplay of Global and Middle Eastern Security”, underscored the importance of advancing the message of peace as a shared and ultimate goal.
They called for learning from historical lessons related to conflicts to prevent their recurrence, stressing the need to reform international institutions to enhance their role in maintaining global peace and security.
The discussion also highlighted the necessity of implementing effective strategies to address global challenges, adopting peace-focused approaches, and fostering a future that limits chaos and extremism.
Both sessions were chaired by Sir John Chipman, CEO of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).
Speakers included Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President; Margus Tsahkna, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia; Dr. Thanos Dokos, National Security Adviser of Greece; and Tim Watts, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia.
Held annually since 2004 in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Manama Dialogue is a central element of the Middle East’s security architecture. It enables national leaders, ministers and policymakers from the Middle East, North America, Europe, Africa and Asia to gather together to discuss the most pressing regional security issues and to share policy responses.
