NAC Conference: National security top priority

Manama, Feb. 8 (BNA): Participants in the National Action Charter (NAC) Conference and Exhibition, organised by the Representatives Council, in cooperation with the International Peace Institute (IPI), under the theme "Future Prospects, Sustainable Development and Peace" have asserted their full support for His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s vision. The participants considered NAC among the main historical documents in the kingdom’s modern history, as it was unanimously approved by the Bahraini people during the referendum which became a major reference and a pillar of the reform and democratic process of the state of law and institutions. According to conference communiqué read by MP Abdulrahman Bu Majeed, the participants also reiterated their rejection of all forms of foreign interference in the domestic affairs of Bahrain and those of the countries in the region. They also called on the international community to combat terrorism in all its forms, as well as its financing sources and inciters, They also called for the launch of national campaigns to strengthen the sense of belonging to the nation values, and respect for the state of law and institutions, as well as to promote the values of citizenship, human rights and social justice, and to counter any attempts aimed at undermining national unity or harming social fabric. The participants stressed that the security of the nation is a top priority, being "the safeguard of the country, its territorial integrity and its socioeconomic and political gains", as stipulated in Chapter IV of the National Action Charter. They called for intensifying participation in the public and political life, and the democratic practices guaranteed for everyone by the Constitution. They also lauded the fundamental political principles of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which were affirmed by NAC, noting that the security of Bahrain and that of other GCC countries are indivisible and integral. They also voiced their pride in the kingdom’s Arab and Islamic dimensions. The participants in the Representatives Council’s conference also reiterated their support of Bahraini women’s role and empowerment at various work sites, expressing pride in women’s success to reach local and international advanced posts through which they contributed to the comprehensive sustainable development of the kingdo. They also affirmed their support for Bahraini youth, and the need to provide them with all forms of assistance, in line with their belief that countries’ progress and future depend on their youngsters. The National Action Charter Conference featured three main plenary sessions, covering three themes about politics, religion and economy. The first session, related to the political theme and entitled "NAC Idea and Benefits", was moderated by MP Abdulrahman Bu Majeed. Cabinet Affairs Minister and member of the Supreme Committee of the National Action Charter, Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al-Mutawa, lectured about the NAC’s idea and efforts. Vice-President of the Supreme Council for Women and member of the Supreme Committee of the National Action Charter, Dr. Shaikha Mariam bint Hassan Al Khalifa lectured about women empowerment, while the Deputy Chairman of the Human Rights Committee at the Council of Representatives, MP Dr. Majeed Mohsen Al-Asfoor focused on Initiative and Reforms. The second session on religious matters, themed "NAC Tolerance and Peace", was moderated by Assistant Foreign Minister Abdulla Al-Dossari. President of the Sunni Waqt Council, and Religious Affairs Advisor at the National Guard, Dr. Shaikh Rashid Al-Hajiri, Chairman of the Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee at the Representatives Council, MP Majid Al-Majid, Shura Council member, Nancy Khadhouri, and the IPI’s Managing Director at the UAE, Dr. Hamad Al-Sheikh Al-Shaibani, participated in the session. MP Majid Al-Majid said that HM the King respects sectarian specificity in all laws and legislation in the kingdom, citing the Unified Personal Status Law. Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) Governor Rasheed Al-Miraj and Afnan Al-Zayani were the key speakers at the third session themed "Sustainable Development and Prospects", and moderated by the Economic Advisor at the Representatives Council, Dr. Abdulla Al-Sadiq. Al-Miraj and Al-Zayani focused on "Reality and Challenges" and "Economic Empowerment", respectively.