4th Derasat Forum on “Food Security Fulfilment Strategies: Challenges and Opportunities” by End of June 2021
Date: 30th May, 2021
The Bahrain Center for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat) announced that its fourth annual Derasat Forum for this year is titled, “Food Security Fulfilment Strategies: Challenges and Opportunities”, will be held from 21 to 23 June 2021 by videoconference.
The forum aims to discuss the challenges facing national and regional food security, inspired by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, the King of Bahrain, during his inauguration of the third convention of the fifth legislative term in October 2020, where His Majesty’s words included a comprehensive methodology to achieve complete food security in the Kingdom of Bahrain; a goal within the Bahrain Vision 2030, in which he invited “investment establishments – public and private – to direct their capital towards value-added developmental areas; ones proven by the health crisis as crucial and feasible to develop; such as digital transformation, healthcare investments, ensuring food security; and these are priorities that require the highest degree of cooperation and coordination between the legislative and executive authorities.”
His Excellency Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, Chairman of the Derasat Board of Trustees, said, “The forum aims to read into the potential capabilities of food security in Bahrain and regional states, and investigate facets of abundance and shortage revealed by the challenge that is the COVID-19 pandemic.” He added, “This once again raised the question regarding food security and the importance of reviewing supply chains, as well as other concepts like self-sufficiency.” “Bahrain strives to achieve an advanced position – within global criteria – in fulfilling food security, due to the Kingdom’s adoption of a national strategy for sustainable agricultural development, to enhance the role of crop farming, livestock production, and fish farming in achieving comprehensive development, and attracting foreign investments in various production sectors; all while conserving environmental and biological balance, and encouraging the use of technology, in light of Bahrain’s 2030 Economic Vision,” he said.
Dr. Sh. Abdulla described Bahrain’s experience in facing the challenge raised by the pandemic as “inspiring and worth monitoring, especially how it reflected competence at the political leadership’s level, given how the Kingdom’s national level response demonstrated the efficiency of the supply operations, and the presence of a strategic vision in this regard.”
His Excellency the Chairman affirmed that Bahrain took great strides – under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, the King of Bahrain; and the efforts of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister – to diversify its national economy in a framework to develop the quality of services, improve the quality of living, and create suitable job opportunities. He added that the Kingdom spends pioneering efforts – not only to fulfill sustainable development goals – but also effectively contribute to supporting the international efforts that aim to eradicate global poverty and protect the environment.
His Excellency pointed to the importance of investing this cumulative experience for Bahrain to take additional strides in food security, and fulfill a model based on sustainability and adaptability in facing the various challenges that can affect future food security; given the increasing environmental and climate hazards facing the world for the coming decades, and the eagerness of Bahrain’s wise leadership to create the best possible conditions for the Kingdom’s citizens and residents; by way of its pre-emptive vision of the various upcoming circumstances, and their understanding of the effective struggles and interactions in the field of global food security.
The forum aims to present solutions and proposals capable of improving national and regional food security; and examine and assess the steps taken in this path to offer the necessary recommendations that produce perceptions for their development and enhancement.
The 3-day forum will host several specialists to discuss the concept and reality of food security in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and its plans and strategies to face this challenge; as well as reviewing regional and international experiences in this field and studying Gulf-wide mechanisms to achieve food security.
The Derasat Forum is an advanced platform for an open and responsible dialog, introduced by the Center in 2018, as an inclusive and unique intellectual gathering – in attendance, discussions, and recommendations; and as a mechanism for Derasat’s dynamic motion to execute its plans and fulfill its goals and aspirations.