NEWS
All Sections
His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty for Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs and Captain of the Royal Endurance Team, was officially awarded the gold medal after being crowned champion of the 160 km FEI World Endurance Championship 2024 in Monpazier, France. His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, Chairman of the General Sports Authority, and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee; and His Highness Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Vice President of the Supreme Council for Environment; other dignitaries; and the children of HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad and HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad. HH Shaikh Nasser and the Royal Endurance Team celebrated the victory, which was met with widespread applause from the audience. The horse Everest La Majorie was awarded the Best Horse Condition Award. This marks the second consecutive year that His Highness Shaikh Nasser has secured the world title, following his victory in the previous championship held in Bou Thib, UAE. His Highness completed the race in 8 hours and 32 minutes, ahead of the UAE’s Saeed Ahmed Al Harbi, who finished second, and France’s Melody Theolissat, who took third. Royal Endurance Team rider Jaafar Mirza finished 14th.more
His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS), headed the ninth meeting of the follow-up committee on the implementation of the Sports City project. Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Finance and National Economy, Ibrahim bin Hassan Al Hawaj, Minister of Works, and Ayman bin Tawfiq Al Moayyed, Secretary General of SCYS, were present. HH Shaikh Nasser emphasised that the Sports City Project is one of the key strategic projects in the Kingdom of Bahrain, supported by His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, dedicated to youth and sports. This project will promote Bahrain's regional and international position in hosting sports events and championships. HH Shaikh Nasser commended the government's efforts, headed by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister, in developing the sports sector and infrastructure. During the meeting, HH Shaikh Nasser reviewed the general layout of the project, the timeline, and facilities. HH Shaikh Nasser highlighted the importance of maintaining Bahrain's position as a prominent sports hub, where the Sports City will play a key role in advancing the Kingdom's investments in sports, enhancing the competitive environment, and positioning Bahrain on the global stage.more
His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, HM the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, spoke at the opening of the Arab Youth Media Forum, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The forum was organised as part of the Arab Media Summit 2024. It aims to empower and engage youth in the media industry. Upon arrival, HH Shaikh Nasser was received by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council. In the segment "In Conversation: HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad, His Highness said believing in youth was a facet of the Arab culture. His Highness emphasised that the UAE's commitment to supporting Arab youth through initiatives like hosting the Arab Media Forum in Dubai, came within the framework of the priorities of joint Arab action. His Highness underscored the importance of supporting Arab youth by developing their skills to build the future of their countries, noting that the capabilities of youth reprsented half of the present and the entirety of the future. His Highness emphasised the significance of national identity as the guiding force for the Arab nation's achievements, recalling that the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founder of the UAE, has once said that those who do not have a past, do not have a present nor a future. His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa emphasised the role of Arab youth in harnessing media to positively engage with regional developments and changes. His Highness highlighted Bahrain's efforts to empower youth by providing them with opportunities to build and modernise, instilling confidence to implement their ideas, and cultivating a culture of faith and hope.more
His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, HM the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, met with the crew of the "Ana Laha" (I am up for it), the programme aired during the holy month of Ramadhan. It was produced by STC Bahrain and led by content creator Omar Farooq. HH Shaikh Nasser commended the programme's efforts in documenting the cohesion and the true nature of the Bahraini community in providing assistance and standing together in challenging situations. His Highness praised the innovative ideas showcased through the social experiments it presented, which demonstrated the capabilities of Bahraini creatives in producing content with noble objectives. Ana Laha, whose production team is 90% Bahraini, has achieved remarkable viewership numbers, reaching over 200 million views to date. The programme touched on sensitive social issues, such as depression, cerebral palsy, drugs, disfigurement, and simple jobs. It has sparked discussions and debates on social experiments and raised awareness on these important topics.more
His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, His Majesty's Representative for Humanitarian Affairs and Youth Affairs and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, said that Bahraini Youth Day was a distinguished national event that recognised the pivotal role played by youth in shaping the present and future of Bahrain. HH Shaikh Nasser congratulated Bahraini youth on the occassion, and lauded their role in continuing the process of building Bahrain and their distinguished contributions in various fields. His Highness added that Bahraini Youth Day coincided this year with the Kingdom's celebration of the Silver Jubilee of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's accession, highlighting the Royal Vision for Bahraini Youth. This vision prioritises the focus on young talent, harnessing their creativity, and empowering them to lead in the future. His Highness said that His Majesty the King's appreciation for Bahraini youth has been instrumental in shaping strategies to empower them, emphasising His Majesty's keenness on celebrating the accomplishments of Bahraini youth and backing their ideas and projects to guarantee their success. HH Shaikh Nasser noted that the kingdom has formulated a clearly defined strategy to elevate the status of Bahraini youth through a series of initiatives designed by the government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. These efforts focus on supporting young talent, facilitating their progression to leadership roles, and fostering avenues for skill development and innovation in various sectors. His Highness emphasised the need for collaboration between the public and private sectors to bolster youth-oriented policies. His Highness highlighted ongoing initiatives aimed at consolidating efforts through Team Bahrain, with a focus on creating frameworks to empower and inspire the youth. "We continuously think of what we can achieve for Bahraini youth of all age groups and reaching them in their villages and towns," His Highness said. His Highness added that this approach was a priority aimed at instilling hope in youth and to give them recognition for their ideas, which seek to build on national achievements to accomplish more for the kingdom. His Highness Shaikh Nasser praised the exceptional accomplishments of Bahraini youth, recognising their vital role in innovation and development. Several initiatives have been introduced to bolster the role of Bahraini youth as a driving force of innovation and creativity, such as the "Outstanding Youth' programme which sheds light on the dedication, capabilities and efforts made by youth to serve both themselves and the kingdom, His Highness Shaikh said. His Highness said that the National Youth Work Strategy (2023-2028) has been launched to encourage youth through initiatives that build a culture of achievement and boost the confidence of youth within a supportive environment. Mechanisms will be put in place to listen to youth and make them active partners in designing future plans and programmes, His Highness added. His Highness Shaikh Nasser reiterated his unwavering support for Bahraini youth, recognising their sense of responsibility, awareness, and commitment to shaping a bright future for the kingdom.more
ا His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs and Chairman of Bapco Energies - the integrated energy company leading the energy transition in the Kingdom of Bahrain – met with Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, and Mark Thomas, Group CEO of Bapco Energies. The meeting laid the foundations for cooperation between Bapco Energies and TotalEnergies, under which TotalEnergies will support Bapco Energies in optimizing its Sitra refinery, which is currently being upgraded, and in trading of its petroleum products. TotalEnergies will bring its global oil and feedstock supply capacity, as well as its refining and trading expertise. His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesy the King for Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs and Chairman of Bapco Energies said: "We are pleased to welcome such a respected and experienced global player in the energy trading sector. Bapco Energies and TotalEnergies’ collaboration will pursue opportunities for the Kingdom of Bahrain's oil & gas products and offer new energy solutions to our customers. With the start-up of our US$7 billion Bapco Modernization Programme (BMP) refinery upgrade project later this year, our partnership with TotalEnergies will help build a quality customer base for our expanded production. We look forward to working in partnership with the Total team and bringing their experience and technology to Bapco Energies." "We are pleased to have been selected by the Bahraini authorities to support Bapco Energies in optimizing their downstream petroleum operations, with a view to maximizing value for Bahrain. I sincerely hope that this new partnership marks the beginning of a promising relationship between TotalEnergies and the Kingdom of Bahrain," said Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies. "We are indeed a global integrated energy company and are willing to bring for the benefit of the Kingdom of Bahrein and Bapco Energies our full expertise along integrated oil, LNG and power value chains. We will work to extend our collaboration beyond oil and petroleum products to potential future developments in other energies, such as LNG or renewable power." “This new collaboration with TotalEnergies will bring incremental value to the Kingdom of Bahrain and Bapco Energies through the application of TotalEnergies’ global expertise in product trading and feedstock optimization. We are looking forward to partnering with TotalEnergies to building the Bapco Energies brand as a reliable and trusted global supplier of quality products”, concluded Mark Thomas, Group CEO of Bapco Energies. more
His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, HM the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs and Supreme Council for Youth and Sports Chairman, today crowned the podium finishers of the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2024. HH Shaikh Nasser crowned Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the winner of the 20th edition of F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, in addition to Sergio Pérez, Red Bull driver, and Carlos Sainz Jr., Ferrari driver, who claimed the second and third places in the race, respectively. HH Shaikh Nasser congratulated the winners, and wished the other drivers the best of luck in the upcoming F1 championship rounds, praising their distinguished performance during the 20th edition of the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2024. His Highness asserted that Bahrain’s successes in organising F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix over the past 20 years embody the Bahraini citizens’ keenness to achieve the best for their country at various international gatherings. The outstanding success of the F1 races reflects the interest of the kingdom in boosting its comprehensive development process, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the follow-up of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, HH said. HH Shaikh Nasser indicated that while celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, the kingdom has proved its distinguished capabilities to host F1 races and ensure their success.more
His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, HM the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, expressed his appreciation for the robust fraternal ties between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates across various fields. His Highness hailed the fruitful cooperation between the two countries across various fields, particularly the humanitarian ones, thanks to the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Honorary President of the Royal Humanitarian Foundation (RHF), and His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE. HH Shaikh Nasser commended the ongoing collaboration between the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation and the RHF, particularly through various projects like the mass wedding ceremony, which is a significant community initiative in Bahrain, aiming to support Bahraini youth in building stable and happy families for the nation's progress and prosperity. His Highness congratulated all newlyweds, wishing them a happy marital life. Mohamed Haji Al Khoury, Director General of the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation (KBZF), attended the mass wedding ceremony. HH Shaikh Nasser made the statements during the 12th mas wedding ceremony held under his patronage. It was organised by the KBZF in collaboration with the RHF at the University of Bahrain in Sakhir, celebrating the marriage of 1,600 Bahrainis, making it the largest mass weeding in Bahrain. HH Shaikh Nasser honoured the Khalifa bin Zayed Foundation for its ongoing support of the event. Additionally, the Director-General of the Khalifa bin Zayed Foundation presented a memento to the ceremony's sponsor. Al Khoury expressed his sincere appreciation to the leadership of both Bahrain and the UAE for their continuous support and sponsorship of the mass wedding ceremonies in Bahrain. He praised the ongoing cooperation between the KBZF and RHF, leading to the implementation of various humanitarian initiatives, including the mass marriage programme aimed at strengthening family and community bonds. Al Khoury lauded the event as the largest in Bahrain's history, uniting 1,600 Bahraini men and women. With this milestone, the foundation's total beneficiaries reached as many as 9,726 young men and women, expressing hope that similar events will be held in the future. Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, the Secretary-General of the RHF, expressed appreciation to the leadership of both countries for their unwavering support for various humanitarian projects. He also paid tribute to HH Shaikh Nasser for annually sponsoring the mass wedding ceremony, in line with his keenness to support Bahraini youth to be positive contributors to the nation. Shaikh Ali commended the Khalifa bin Zayed Foundation's efforts to organise and support the annual mass marriage ceremony for Bahraini youth, increasing the number of beneficiaries to 9,726.more
His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, His Majesty the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman of Bapco Energies, today chaired the Company’s Board of Directors meeting for the last quarter of the year. HH Shaikh Nasser commended the speech delivered by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa before the COP28 Summit announcing the launch of Bahrain's National Action Plan, "Blueprint Bahrain", which is aimed at achieving carbon neutrality. His Highness emphasised that His Majesty's announcement marks a significant milestone in Bahrain's energy sector transformation and sustainability journey. HH Shaikh Nasser congratulated His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on the occasion of the Kingdom of Bahrain's celebration of its National Days, in commemoration of the establishment of the modern Bahraini State as an Arab, Muslim state founded by Ahmed Al Fateh in 1783, and the anniversary of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s Accession to the Throne. His Highness commended the group's achievements in the current year, which included launching the Sustainability-Linked Finance Framework ("Framework"), making it the world’s first national energy group to implement this practice. This is in addition to partnering with regional institutions to develop a national portfolio of energy companies, and enhancing investment opportunities in the sector. This led to its success in refinancing Murabaha facilities worth $2.2 billion, increasing it to $2.5 billion, and issuing Sukuk worth US$750 million for 10 years. His Highness welcomed Bapco Energies Group's transformation into world-class governance processes and the completion of the first environmental and social impact assessment for Bahrain; as well as comducting the feasibility study for a carbon capture and storage project to achieve 10% of the target of reducing carbon emissions by 2035. The meeting reviewed the group's financial performance for Q4 2023, focusing on major projects aligned with Bahrain's national energy strategy. They also discussed a strategic investment package to support the group's transformation project in line with global sector changes. Mark Thomas, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Bapco Energies, presented the company's environmental and social governance report, which outlined procedures for achieving health and safety principles. It also covered forming an environment, health, and safety working committee to create training programs for 2024 projects and standardise data collection for greater transparency, integrity, and accountability. Abdulla Jehad Al Zain, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bapco Refining Company; Dr. Abdulrahman Jawahery, Chief Executive Officer gave a presentation on the latest Bapco Modernisation Programme (BMP). Faisal Al Mahroos, BAPCO's Chief Executive Officer and Johann Pleininger, the Chief Executive of Tatweer Petroleum, gave a presentation the company's ongoing exploration and production activity.more
Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and in the presence of His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, HM the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, the kingdom is hosting the seventh edition of IRONMAN 70.3 Middle East Championship Bahrain. Held near Al-Reef Island, IRONMAN Bahrain 2030 includes swimming, cycling and running competitions. On the occasion, HH Shaikh Nasser affirmed that the kingdom’s success in attracting and meticulously organising mega international championships contribute to achieving the visions of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to make Bahrain a prominent tourist destination in the sports field. This has increased the kingdom’s sporting achievements since the beginning of HM the King’s prosperous era, His Highness said. HH Shaikh Nasser expressed deepest pride in the constant support and follow-up of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, making the sports sector one of the main tributaries of the national economy, given its role in achieving the goals of the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030. His Highness expressed delight over the kingdom’s success in organising global sporting events, which contributed to enhancing its progress and increasing its rich record of achievements. HH Shaikh Nasser underlined the constant keenness of the kingdom’s leadership, government and people on putting in place all success requirements for the events hosted by Bahrain, including IRONMAN Bahrain, wishing the participants every success.more
