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UK Foreign Secretary's Bahrain Visit

Strengthening Bilateral Ties and Commitment to Gulf Stability

It’s a pleasure to be back in Bahrain. Indeed, I was saying to our Ambassador, and indeed Bahrain’s excellent ambassador to London, Sheikh Fawaz, for over the last few years has become home away from home; according to my wife is it my home, and I see her occasionally. But this is an incredible country. A country that has really demonstrated – as it’s doing so again today - its convening power.  

A Second Home in Bahrain

Expressing joy in returning to Bahrain, the Foreign Secretary acknowledges the country's significance as a second home. He appreciates the incredible convening power of Bahrain, highlighting its role as a diplomatic hub.   Commending Ambassador Sheikh Fawaz In recognizing the excellent ambassadorial work, special mention is given to Sheikh Fawaz for fostering strong ties between the UK and Bahrain. Since then – since my last visit to Bahrain – the bilateral relationship has grown even stronger, including the visit that we celebrated His Royal Highness Prince Salman’s visit in July. More recently, I’m proud to say that the two countries – the United Kingdom and Bahrain – have elevated our exchanges to our first strategic dialogue, which I had the honor to co-chair with my dear friend, his Excellency Dr Al Zayani in London. May I, therefore, thank the Kingdom of Bahrain for hosting us today for another important and timely event.  

Deepening Bilateral Relations

Reflecting on the strengthened ties, the Foreign Secretary highlights the growth in the bilateral relationship, including the first strategic dialogue co-chaired with Bahrain's Dr Al Zayani. The acknowledgment extends to the celebration of His Royal Highness Prince Salman’s visit in July.   Gratitude to Bahrain's Hostship Expressing gratitude, the Foreign Secretary thanked the Kingdom of Bahrain for hosting the UK delegation for another significant and timely event. And I assure you the UK delegation here is in strength. They say you normally have one Lord; I can certainly look across this room and see several more: Lord Sedwill, Lord Maud, as well as other parliamentarians and business leaders are here, demonstrating the United Kingdom’s commitment to Bahrain; but also, importantly, the region.  

UK's Strong Delegation

Emphasizing the strength of the UK delegation, the Foreign Secretary notes the presence of multiple Lords, including Lord Sedwill and Lord Maud. This presence demonstrates the United Kingdom's commitment not only to Bahrain but also to the broader region.   Parliamentary and Business Commitment Acknowledging the representation of parliamentarians and business leaders, the Foreign Secretary underscores the importance of the UK's commitment to Bahrain and the wider region. Last year, when the then Foreign Secretary addressed you, he spoke in glowing terms about the transformation of the region; but also, importantly, of the threats that continue to face the region, indeed all of us.  

Reflections on the Region's Transformation

Recalling the previous Foreign Secretary's address, the Foreign Secretary acknowledges the positive transformation of the region. However, he highlights the persistent threats facing the region and its inhabitants.   Addressing Ongoing Threats Underlining the importance of addressing ongoing threats, the Foreign Secretary emphasizes the need for collective efforts to safeguard the region's stability. In this context, Bahrain has shown, under His Majesty’s vision, continued leadership on peaceful coexistence and regional security. We have seen the benefit of the Gulf region’s approach to foreign policy over the last year, including efforts to end the conflict in Sudan, hosting Ukrainian peace talks, and, most recently, bringing the Arab world together in response to the crisis that we are all facing up to today in Israel, across Gaza and the West Bank. These efforts have reconfirmed what we already knew: that you remain a vital partner now and in the future.  

Bahrain's Leadership in Peaceful Coexistence

Commending Bahrain's leadership under His Majesty’s vision, the Foreign Secretary appreciates the nation's commitment to peaceful coexistence and regional security.   Gulf Region's Diplomatic Initiatives Highlighting the Gulf region's diplomatic endeavors, the Foreign Secretary points to efforts in ending the conflict in Sudan, hosting Ukrainian peace talks, and uniting the Arab world in responding to the current crisis in Israel. And as we’ve heard from the Secretary-General and His Royal Highness in his detailed sense of experience over the years, we together face a daunting set of challenges. And in this regard let me be absolutely clear: we, the United Kingdom, remain a reliable and committed partner for the region in responding to the challenges and availing the opportunities that lie in front of us.  

Unified Response to Challenges

Acknowledging the challenges ahead, the Foreign Secretary emphasizes the United Kingdom's unwavering commitment to being a reliable and committed partner in addressing regional challenges and opportunities.   UK's Pledge to the Region Reiterating the commitment, the Foreign Secretary pledges the United Kingdom's support in responding to challenges and seizing opportunities in collaboration with the region. A partner working to constrain Iranian weapons proliferation and the destabilizing activity of Iran and its aligned groups that are responsible for much instability across the region and further afield; a partner also holding Tehran to account for its escalatory nuclear program.  

UK as a Partner for Stability

The Foreign Secretary outlines the UK's role as a partner dedicated to curbing Iranian weapons proliferation and countering destabilizing activities in the region. Further emphasizing the commitment, the Foreign Secretary highlights the UK's role in holding Tehran accountable for its escalatory nuclear program. A partner working together with other key partners in the region for security and peace in Yemen, in Libya.  

Collaborative Efforts for Regional Security

Detailing collaborative efforts, the Foreign Secretary points to the UK's role in working with key partners for security and peace in Yemen and Libya. Highlighting the importance of a multilateral approach, the Foreign Secretary underscores the collaborative efforts of the UK and key partners in maintaining security and peace in the region. A partner for prosperity with, and between, the nations of the Gulf.  

Prosperity Partnerships in the Gulf

Focusing on economic partnerships, the Foreign Secretary positions the UK as a partner for prosperity, fostering collaborations among the Gulf nations. Underlining the economic dimension, the Foreign Secretary emphasizes the UK's commitment to fostering prosperity through collaborative efforts and economic growth in the Gulf. And a partner working to support this region’s transition to net zero, that will help avert the most disastrous impacts of climate change that threaten the Gulf – indeed the world.  

Transition to Net Zero: A Global Imperative

Addressing climate change, the Foreign Secretary positions the UK as a partner working towards supporting the region's transition to net zero. Emphasizing the global significance, he underscores the need to avert the disastrous impacts of climate change threatening the Gulf and the world. Highlighting the urgency, the Foreign Secretary emphasizes the collaborative effort needed to mitigate climate change and its potentially catastrophic effects on the Gulf and the world. I say all of this because, despite and notwithstanding the importance and urgency of these and other challenges, it is natural, given the scale of the attack that occurred on Israel on the 7th of October, the scale of the suffering of innocent Palestinian civilians in the weeks since – that we are still seeing today – that our focus is on this region; on Gaza; on the Occupied Palestinian Territories; and the relationship between Israelis and Palestinians.  

Focus on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Addressing the pressing concerns, the Foreign Secretary directs attention to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly the scale of the attack on Israel in October and the ongoing suffering of innocent Palestinian civilians. Emphasizing the humanitarian perspective, the Foreign Secretary acknowledges the scale of suffering in Gaza, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and the strained relationship between Israelis and Palestinians. This ongoing conflict is not only a disaster for the region, it is a disaster for all of us: it is a disaster for our common humanity.  

Humanitarian Crisis: A Shared Catastrophe

Characterizing the conflict as a shared catastrophe, the Foreign Secretary emphasizes that the ongoing crisis is not only disastrous for the region but also for humanity as a whole. Underlining the shared responsibility, the Foreign Secretary calls for a unified response, recognizing the impact of the crisis on common humanity. The people of Gaza were already living under desperate conditions prior to this conflict; but now they are suffering more, without adequate food, water, and access to the most basic of services we all take for granted, and in constant fear of their own life; they deserve better from all of us – and I agree with you, your Royal Highness, it means a collective, collaborative effort.  

Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

Detailing the dire situation, the Foreign Secretary highlights the worsening conditions in Gaza, with a lack of basic necessities and constant fear among the population. In agreement with the Royal Highness, the Foreign Secretary calls for a collective, collaborative effort to improve the situation and provide better conditions for the people of Gaza. It is also a disaster for the region and the world because conflict stokes division. It has led to alarming spikes of anti-Semitism; of Islamophobia; and yes, that has impacted my own country, the United Kingdom.  

Impact of Conflict: Division and Extremism

Addressing the broader consequences of conflict, the Foreign Secretary highlights how it fuels division and extremism, leading to alarming spikes in anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. Acknowledging the global ramifications, the Foreign Secretary discusses the impact on the United Kingdom, emphasizing the need to address these issues collectively. And therefore, if we do not work together, collectively, and collaboratively, this conflict will spread. These aren’t just words; these are alarming signals we are seeing. And we need to work together to stop this conflict from spreading.  

Preventing Escalation: Urgent Collaboration

Stressing the urgency, the Foreign Secretary warns against the potential spread of the conflict and calls for collective, collaborative efforts to prevent further escalation. Highlighting alarming signals, the Foreign Secretary emphasizes the need for immediate action to prevent the conflict from spreading. The regional and international fault lines we have worked so hard over many, many years to bridge will tragically reopen, and the progress I have spoken of will be undermined.  

Preserving International Progress

Expressing concern, the Foreign Secretary warns that without immediate action, the hard-earned progress in bridging regional and international fault lines will be tragically undermined. Underlining the fragility of diplomatic gains, the Foreign Secretary emphasizes the need to protect and preserve the progress achieved over many years. Therefore what to do? What should the international community be doing?  

International Response: Urgent Imperatives

Posing critical questions, the Foreign Secretary prompts a discussion on the role of the international community and outlines urgent imperatives. Offering a roadmap for action, the Foreign Secretary highlights the need for international collaboration and guidance in addressing the current crisis. Well, coming together; discussing; exchanging views; candid, open public discussions – yes. But private diplomacy and exchanges as well.  

Collaborative Discourse: Public and Private

Advocating for open dialogue, the Foreign Secretary underscores the importance of public discussions and encourages private diplomacy and exchanges among stakeholders. Stressing the need for comprehensive engagement, the Foreign Secretary highlights the importance of both public and private forums in addressing the crisis. All focused that in the immediate term, we must stem the bloodshed, and do all we can to provide aid and security as quickly as possible to all people.  

Immediate Focus: Stemming Bloodshed

Redirecting the focus, the Foreign Secretary emphasizes the immediate need to stem the bloodshed and provide swift aid and security to all affected individuals.   Urgent Humanitarian Response Highlighting the urgency, the Foreign Secretary emphasizes the immediate humanitarian response required to address the crisis and provide aid and security. Let me be clear, the UK has been very clear on this: that Israel had the right to defend itself against Hamas, against the act of terrorism that took place on the 7th of October.   Sources: THX News, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office & Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon. Read the full article