January 24, 2025 | Press Release
Davos, Switzerland – A high-level Bahraini delegation, led by His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, successfully wrapped up its participation in the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2025, held in Davos from January 20–24 under the theme “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age.”
Throughout the forum, His Highness and the Bahraini delegation engaged in bilateral meetings, strategic roundtables, and high-level discussions, showcasing Bahrain’s progress in economic diversification, sustainability, and innovation. His Highness also visited the pavilions of key regional partners, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Oman, strengthening ties and fostering collaboration.
A major milestone of the event was the signing of an agreement between the Labour Fund (Tamkeen) and WEF to launch Bahrain’s Skills and Gender Parity Accelerator, an initiative aimed at advancing workforce development and gender equality.
A Distinguished Bahraini Presence
The Bahrain delegation included several senior government officials and key figures from the public and private sectors, among them:
- HE Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Finance and National Economy, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company (Mumtalakat)
- HE Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development and Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB)
- HE Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce
- HE Shaikh Salman bin Ahmed bin Salman Al Khalifa, President of the Court of the Crown Prince
- Shaikh Abdulla bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive Officer of Mumtalakat
- Hamad Al Mahmeed, Director General of the Prime Minister’s Office
- Sara Buhejji, Chief Executive Officer of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority
- Iain Lindsay OBE, Advisor to the Board at Bahrain EDB
Driving Global Dialogue on Economic Growth and Sustainability
Bahraini representatives took center stage in several key discussions, highlighting the Kingdom’s forward-looking policies and economic achievements:
- HE Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa joined the GCC-focused session “Economic Diversification and Its Impact on Sustainability”, emphasizing the transformative policies driving sustainable development and innovation in the Gulf. He also participated in “Bahrain and Monaco: Building Powerful Country Brands in a Globalized World”, alongside Monaco’s Secretary for Attractiveness, Development, and Digital Transformation, Frédéric Genta, exploring strategies for global competitiveness.
- HE Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif contributed to “Leaders for a Sustainable MENA: Climate, AI, and Finance”, where she discussed the Middle East’s energy transition, sustainability efforts, and public-private collaboration. She also joined the “Global Gender Parity Sprint Champions” meeting, engaging with global leaders on advancing gender equality and workplace diversity.
- HE Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro took part in the “Pathways to Competitiveness: Setting the Industrial Policy Agenda” strategy meeting, where he explored how governments and industries can align policies with sustainability and technological advancements.
Bahrain’s Continued Global Engagement
The WEF 2025 Annual Meeting brought together leading stakeholders to address some of the world’s most pressing economic challenges, including geopolitical stability, economic growth, and an inclusive energy transition. Bahrain’s active participation reaffirmed its commitment to innovation, global collaboration, and sustainable economic progress.
By engaging in these global dialogues and forging key partnerships, Bahrain continues to position itself as a regional leader in economic transformation, sustainability, and digital innovation.
