During his visit to the Republic of Indonesia, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Bahrain Center for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat) HE Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa met with Ambassador Makarim Wibisono, Vice President of the Center for Strategic and International Studies at the Center’s office in Jakarta.
At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa briefed his host on the main activities of the Center for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat), which was established in 1971. The main objective of the Center is to support the decision-making process at the political and economic levels as well as its interest in the study of international affairs. Derasat has connections and relationships with regional groups and organizations.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of “Derasat” stressed the importance of investing in responsible study centers as an important tool that contributes to the spreading of peace and stability and to support comprehensive sustainable development, especially in view of the dangers of terrorism, armed conflicts, economic crises and climate change that the world faces. He stressed the responsibility of think tanks and research centers to give greater importance to the issues of preventive security, giving early warning of crises and the spreading of moderation. The centers should not isolate themselves from the main issues that concern the society but should rather be a true and active partner to serve the causes of peace and development.
Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa said that the “Derasat” Center was able to prove its role as a research institution capable of dealing with challenges in the midst of a high risk and rapidly changing regional environment. He pointed out that the comprehensive reform scheme of the King of the Kingdom of Bahrain His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the high national values and creative initiatives that it incorporates, has been a key guide in the formulation of the mission and objectives of the Center. It was also a challenge to keep up with the rapid series of initiatives and programs that the reform scheme entails in various fields and at all levels. Dr. Shaikh Abdulla said that, we are talking about a comprehensive modernization project to lay the foundations for a modern civil state and citizenship rights, and modernize state institutions and constitutional powers.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees explained that “The Kingdom of Bahrain treats investment in people as a top priority, as stipulated in the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030. This investment has yielded significant results and successes not only in terms of strengthening the national economy, diversification of the sources of income and attraction of foreign investments, but also had its positive effects on various social, cultural and developmental fields, in accordance with the highest standards of quality and excellence.
Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, said: “The Kingdom of Bahrain has established itself as an active and influential country in the region and also has a noticeable international presence because of the success of its development model, comprehensive reforms, consolidation of the rule of law and an active foreign policy based on international principles and noble values.
Commenting on the security of the Gulf region, Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa said that the region is on the verge of seeing important strategic changes in the light of current developments and polarization in the region. There are tangible indications that drastic changes are going to take place in Iran. The time of hollow racist slogans has gone and the facts became clear to everyone. The day of reckoning, at home and before the international community, has come for every regime that chose to be terrorism state and sponsors terrorist groups and militias to destabilize other countries in the region. He pointed out that the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represents a safety net that protects the march of moderate countries toward further progress, development and prosperity for their peoples.
For his part, Vice President of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Professor Makarim Wibisono praised the role and high standing of the “Derasat” Center as one of the leading think tanks in the Middle East region, and expressed his pleasure to cooperate with “Derasat” in areas of mutual interest.
The two sides agreed to exchange visits between experts at the two centers, conduct joint studies and projects, exchange views and publications and promote economic cooperation between the two friendly countries, as well as implement the goals of sustainable development.