The Kingdom of Bahrain is set to host a major security conference, “International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Regional Security Summit: The Manama Dialogue 2012” to discuss key issues facing the region later this year.

The forum will bring together senior government officials and military leaders from across the world, who will converse on the influence of sectarian conflicts in the region and the Strait of Hormuz security, among other key issues.

It will be held from December 7 to 9 at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa and is expected to be attended by hundreds of delegates and experts from different countries.

A draft agenda of the meeting released by IISS on its website stated that on the first day of the conference, private bilateral meetings will be held between ministers and officials.

The event will begin with an evening welcome reception, followed by a keynote address by a top official.

They will discuss key security issues facing the region in its plenary sessions including; priorities for regional security, changing dynamics in Middle East security relationships and intervention and mediation.

In addition, there will be special sessions discussing topics such as counter terrorism, strategic reassurance and deterrence, demographics, political inclusion and stability and security in in the Strait of Hormuz.

The list of delegates and officials has not been released yet by the IISS.

The key regional debate platform, which is now in its 8th year, has evolved over the years and is now widely recognised as the most influential annual security gathering in the Middle East.

“The 8th summit will draw together the highest concentration to date of policy-makers involved in regional security. Delegations will once again comprise a measured blend of Prime Ministers, Foreign Ministers, Defence Ministers, National Security Advisors, and Military and Intelligence Chiefs,” said a statement.

The Manama Dialogue and several regional events were not held last year owing to the unrest that engulfed the Kingdom.

During the previous conference, held in December 2010, King Abdullah of Jordan delivered the keynote speech while US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave a special address.