The Executive Director of the Bahrain Center for Strategic, International, and Energy Studies (Derasat), Mr. Abdulla Mohamed Alahmed, participated in the 15th Gulf Research Meeting, organized annually by the Gulf Research Center at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.
The event brought together a distinguished group of decision-makers, experts, academics, and researchers from around the world.
During his participation, the Executive Director emphasized the importance of shifting from formal partnerships to broader societal engagement, describing it as a cornerstone for strengthening long-term Gulf-European relations. He highlighted that trade diplomacy, currently a central element in building new international alliances, is equallyimportant to traditional military cooperation.
He also called for adopting a comprehensive regional approach to Gulf security; one that accounts for regional security threats, particularly maritime security in the Red Sea. He stressed the need to focus on capacity building, activating mediation and early warning mechanisms, and establishing a regular institutional dialogue that links security with development while keeping pace with accelerating geopolitical shifts.
Notably, the meeting opened with keynote speeches from His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; H.E. Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC); H.E. Dr. Abdulaziz bin Sager, Chairman of the Gulf Research Center; H.E. Dr. Abdulaziz Hamad Al Uwaisheg, GCC Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Negotiations; and H.E. Luigi Di Maio, the EU Special Representative for the Gulf Region. The speakers stressed the importance of strengthening political, security, and economic cooperation between both sides.
This year’s Gulf Research Meeting featured 12 workshops that focused on various topics , where researchers from Derasat took part in several of these workshops.
Derasat’s participation reflects its commitment to its role as a leading think tank actively engaged in international academic dialog, solidifying its position within initiatives that contribute to shaping a more stable and integrated future for the region and the world.
The Gulf Research Meeting, held annually since 2010 by the Gulf Research Center and hosted by the prestigious University of Cambridge, is a major international platform for research and policy discussions related to the Gulf region. It facilitates constructive dialog and academic exchange on key Gulf-related issues, attracting global leaders, policymakers, academics, and experts to explore pressing political, security, economic, and social challenges, reinforcing the Gulf’s growing regional and global influence.
