Hawar Islands Development Higher Authority meeting
His Highness Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Personal Representative of His Majesty the King, President of the Supreme Council for Environment, and Chairman of the Higher Authority for Hawar Islands Development, chaired the first meeting of the commission at Al Riffa Palace.
The meeting follows the issuance of Royal Decree (115) of 2024 establishing the Higher Authority for Hawar Islands Development. Members of the authority were present.
At the outset, His Highness expressed, on behalf of himself and the authority members, gratitude to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for the royal trust bestowed upon him through his appointment as Chairman and for the appointment of the authority's members.
HH Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad stressed the importance of continuing to attract strategic tourism projects that offer added value, particularly those that highlight the Kingdom of Bahrain's natural landscapes, diverse environment, and rich cultural heritage. He noted the consistent support for the tourism sector from His Majesty the King and the follow-up of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
His Highness said that the Kingdom of Bahrain possesses significant competitive advantages that reinforce its position as a regional and international tourism destination. The rapid implementation of development plans and projects with high standards of quality reflects the dedication and collaboration of all stakeholders, contributing to the broader goal of sustainable development across all sectors.
HH Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad underscored the ongoing ambition to achieve further tourism milestones in the Hawar Islands, in support of the Kingdom's standing. He called for intensified efforts to meet the set objectives in line with the various work phases. He described each achievement as a stepping stone toward even greater success.
His Highness highlighted the recent opening of the Hawar Resort, operated by Mantis, which was inaugurated under the patronage of His Majesty the King. This marks the first of three tourism projects currently under development by the High Authority, chaired by His Highness. The initiative reflects the Kingdom's distinctive identity as the region's only archipelagic state.
During the meeting, HH Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad was briefed by authority members on planned programmes and strategic objectives for the development of Hawar Islands. Discussions covered the creation of a model for sustainable tourism, optimised use of the area's tourism potential, and efforts to leverage the site's appeal to support the national economy and create quality opportunities for citizens. The meeting also reviewed updates to the master plan for the Hawar Islands archipelago and findings from initial environmental studies.
BNA(R)
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