Latest news with #AbdullatifAlZayani
Associated Press
2 hours ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Five countries win seats on the UN Security Council
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Five countries won seats on the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday in uncontested elections and will start serving two-year terms in January on the U.N.'s most powerful but deeply divided body. The 193-member General Assembly held a secret-ballot vote for the five rotating seats on the 15-member council. Bahrain received 186 votes, Congo 183 votes, Liberia 181 votes, Colombia 180 votes and Latvia 178 votes. This will be the first time on the council for Latvia, which was forcibly incorporated into the Soviet Union and gained independence again after its collapse in 1991. Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže told reporters after the vote her Baltic nation is ready for the responsibility, saying, 'Our historical experience puts us in the position to understand, empathize with, and forge partnerships across every region in the world.' 'We know the value of freedom,' she said. 'We know the fragility of peace and the power of multilateralism to safeguard it.' Braže said Latvia will spare no effort to achieve just and lasting peace in Ukraine and to alleviate suffering in the Middle East, Gaza, Africa and other conflicts around the globe. Bahrain will be the Arab representative on the council, and Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani said his country's election to the council for a second time reinforces its determination to be 'a proactive contributor' to international peace and security. 'Our goal is to fortify peace and stability within our region,' Al Zayani said, stressing that resolving the decades-old Palestinian-Israeli conflict is 'the cornerstone for achieving peace in the region.' The immediate requirement, he said, is a ceasefire and massive influx of humanitarian aid into Gaza, the release of all hostages taken from Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and progress toward a two-state solution and 'a viable state of Palestine.' The Security Council is mandated in the U.N. Charter with ensuring international peace and security, but it has failed in the two major conflicts because of the veto power of Russia on Ukraine and the United States, Israel's closest ally, on Gaza. There have been decades of efforts to reform the Security Council to reflect the geopolitical realities of the world in 2025, not of the post-World War II era 80 years ago, when the United Nations was established. But they have all failed. The council still includes five veto-wielding permanent members — the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France — and 10 elected members from the U.N.'s different regional groups. One major failing is the absence of a permanent seat for Africa or Latin America and the Caribbean. Under its current rules, five new council members are elected every year. In January, the newly elected countries will replace Algeria, Guyana, South Korea, Sierra Leone and Slovenia. Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner of Congo, which will be serving its third term on the council, told the council its election not only reflects confidence in her country, 'it is also a reflection of Africa's unity and its rightful place in shaping the global peace and security agenda.' Asked about the ongoing fighting by armed groups in the country's mineral-rich east, she said Congo will bring to the council the knowledge of dealing with decades of conflict, the challenges of U.N. peacekeeping operations and protecting civilians, and 'the convergence between conflict, natural resources, and environmental changes.' Liberia's Deputy Foreign Minister Deweh Gray, whose country was last on the council in 1961, said her country has 'an unwavering resolve to make a difference for all' and to tackle the formidable challenges facing the world including conflict, inequality and climate change, 'to name a few.' 'Liberia's vote is a vote for Africa,' she said, 'and we shall ensure that we follow the African common position.' Colombia's U.N. Ambassador Leonor Zalabata urged all countries to unite and 'keep working together in harmony with nature to preserve what we have and build peace in the world.' And she said, 'We invite you all to keep working in the path of human rights.' ___
The Independent
2 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
Five countries win seats on the UN Security Council
Five countries won seats on the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday in uncontested elections and will start serving two-year terms in January on the U.N.'s most powerful but deeply divided body. The 193-member General Assembly held a secret-ballot vote for the five rotating seats on the 15-member council. Bahrain received 186 votes, Congo 183 votes, Liberia 181 votes, Colombia 180 votes and Latvia 178 votes. This will be the first time on the council for Latvia, which was forcibly incorporated into the Soviet Union and gained independence again after its collapse in 1991. Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže told reporters after the vote her Baltic nation is ready for the responsibility, saying, 'Our historical experience puts us in the position to understand, empathize with, and forge partnerships across every region in the world.' 'We know the value of freedom,' she said. 'We know the fragility of peace and the power of multilateralism to safeguard it.' Braže said Latvia will spare no effort to achieve just and lasting peace in Ukraine and to alleviate suffering in the Middle East, Gaza, Africa and other conflicts around the globe. Bahrain will be the Arab representative on the council, and Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani said his country's election to the council for a second time reinforces its determination to be 'a proactive contributor" to international peace and security. 'Our goal is to fortify peace and stability within our region,' Al Zayani said, stressing that resolving the decades-old Palestinian-Israeli conflict is 'the cornerstone for achieving peace in the region.' The immediate requirement, he said, is a ceasefire and massive influx of humanitarian aid into Gaza, the release of all hostages taken from Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and progress toward a two-state solution and 'a viable state of Palestine.' The Security Council is mandated in the U.N. Charter with ensuring international peace and security, but it has failed in the two major conflicts because of the veto power of Russia on Ukraine and the United States, Israel's closest ally, on Gaza. There have been decades of efforts to reform the Security Council to reflect the geopolitical realities of the world in 2025, not of the post-World War II era 80 years ago, when the United Nations was established. But they have all failed. The council still includes five veto-wielding permanent members — the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France — and 10 elected members from the U.N.'s different regional groups. One major failing is the absence of a permanent seat for Africa or Latin America and the Caribbean. Under its current rules, five new council members are elected every year. In January, the newly elected countries will replace Algeria, Guyana, South Korea, Sierra Leone and Slovenia. Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner of Congo, which will be serving its third term on the council, told the council its election not only reflects confidence in her country, 'it is also a reflection of Africa's unity and its rightful place in shaping the global peace and security agenda.' Asked about the ongoing fighting by armed groups in the country's mineral-rich east, she said Congo will bring to the council the knowledge of dealing with decades of conflict, the challenges of U.N. peacekeeping operations and protecting civilians, and 'the convergence between conflict, natural resources, and environmental changes.' Liberia's Deputy Foreign Minister Deweh Gray, whose country was last on the council in 1961, said her country has 'an unwavering resolve to make a difference for all' and to tackle the formidable challenges facing the world including conflict, inequality and climate change, 'to name a few.' 'Liberia's vote is a vote for Africa,' she said, 'and we shall ensure that we follow the African common position.' Colombia's U.N. Ambassador Leonor Zalabata urged all countries to unite and 'keep working together in harmony with nature to preserve what we have and build peace in the world.' And she said, 'We invite you all to keep working in the path of human rights.' ___
Jordan Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
Foreign minister, Bahraini counterpart discuss ties, sign MoU on diplomatic training
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Thursday holds extensive talks with Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif Bin Rashid Al Zayani (Petra photo) AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Thursday held extensive talks with Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif Bin Rashid Al Zayani, focusing on boosting the deep-rooted relations between Jordan and Bahrain and addressing regional developments. Discussions centred on enhancing cooperation across various sectors, in line with the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah and Bahraini King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa. The two ministers also reviewed existing agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs), exploring mechanisms to activate and expand them to promote broader and more effective cooperation, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. Safadi reiterated Jordan's pride in its close ties with Bahrain and expressed appreciation for the care and support extended to Jordanian citizens living and working in Bahrain. On regional developments, the ministers focused on efforts to reach a lasting ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, facilitate a prisoner exchange deal, and ensure the sustained delivery of humanitarian aid. They also underscored the importance of achieving a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution as the only path to regional security and stability, and stressed the need for a clear political horizon to advance that goal. Regarding Syria, the top diplomats reiterated their support for efforts to rebuild the country based on preserving its unity, sovereignty, security, and stability, while protecting the rights of its people. The talks also touched on Bahrain's progress in electronic and digital transformation, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' e-services, digital systems, and training programmes under the National Human Rights Plan. They also agreed to institutionalise cooperation in these areas. Safadi and Al Zayani also signed an MoU between the Jordanian Diplomatic Institute and the Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa Academy for Diplomatic Studies to enhance cooperation in diplomatic training, research, and academic exchange.
Daily Tribune
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Support Palestine and Rebuild Gaza : Foreign Ministry Briefs Lawmakers on Bahrain's UN Security Council Bid and Arab Summit Role
TDT | Manama Securing full United Nations membership for Palestine, rebuilding Gaza, and advancing Bahrain's bid for a Security Council seat were the key points of discussion at a joint meeting between lawmakers and Foreign Minister, His Excellency Dr. Abdullatif Al Zayani. The session drew together Parliament Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam, Shura Council Chairman Ali Al Saleh, and members from both chambers, with the foreign minister offering a detailed account of Bahrain's activity during its presidency of the 33rd Arab Summit and its role at the 34th Summit in Baghdad. Dr. Al Zayani said Bahrain had proposed a number of moves during its leadership of the summit in May 2024, including a call for an international gathering to address the Palestinian issue based on a two-state solution, and backing for Palestine's full seat at the UN. He added that Bahrain had also urged support for the Egyptian-led effort to rebuild Gaza and had presented ideas in areas such as education, health, and digital finance. Royal Efforts The Foreign Minister told the meeting that His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa had personally led follow-up efforts, travelling to Moscow, Beijing, London, and Paris to share the summit's outcomes and press for global support. A separate summit in Cairo, co-chaired with Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in March this year, endorsed a detailed recovery plan for Gaza. In addition, Dr. Al Zayani revealed that Bahrain has formed a national committee, headed by the Foreign Minister himself, to keep track of the Bahrain Summit's outcomes. Full Report A full report was handed over to the Arab League and again during the Baghdad meeting. Bahrain also hosted several regional meetings, including the 54th Arab Information Ministers gathering and the 44th meeting of Social Affairs Ministers. Throughout the year, Bahraini diplomats have taken part in meetings with UN bodies, Arab-Islamic committees, and international groups focused on Palestine and Gaza. The country is now campaigning for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2026–2027 term. Dr. Al Zayani said the campaign rests on three aims: peace, human dignity, and long-term development. Members of both councils expressed support for the efforts and said they were ready to help Bahrain push its proposals through international and parliamentary channels.
Daily Tribune
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Many citizens living abroad remain unregistered, making it harder for authorities to assist them during emergencies
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has kept pace with the paperwork, and the challenge lies in reaching the people. It has processed nearly 200,000 overseas transactions since the beginning of the current legislative term, yet many citizens living abroad remain unregistered, leaving themselves exposed in times of trouble. The figures were provided by Foreign Minister, His Excellency Dr Abdullatif Al Zayani, in response to a parliamentary question submitted by MP Jalal Kadhem. He said the ministry had handled a total of 198,057 consular services, achieving a completion rate of 99 per cent. Support These covered passport renewals, driving licences, police certificates, document attestations, birth records and support in legal cases involving Bahrainis overseas. 'There is no law requiring citizens abroad to share their details with us,' he said. 'Many are not registered at all, and even among those who are, the records are often years out of date. We are asking people to come forward and register, because it can make all the difference when something goes wrong.' Among those most affected are students. Many have not reported their current place of study or residence. According to ministry data, 4,031 students are currently recorded abroad. Groups The largest groups are in Egypt, the UK and the UAE. A single Bahraini student is listed in Damascus, and one in Doha. The ministry has made changes to simplify consular procedures. Bahrain has joined the Apostille Convention, which allows documents to be accepted across borders with a single certification. It has also linked up with the national appointment system, introduced electronic attestation and begun issuing emergency travel documents for Bahrainis in GCC states who lose their ID cards. Plans Dr Al Zayani said plans to open additional service counters across Bahrain were being considered, depending on available resources and staffing. Between 2023 and 2024, the ministry dealt with over 137,000 requests for documents and nearly 3,000 legal matters. These included support for detained or hospitalised Bahrainis, assistance with death certificates and other urgent family cases. No applications have been left unresolved since the start of the legislative term. Overseas missions continue to forward all requests to the appropriate authorities. Transactions The embassy in Riyadh processed 10,842 transactions. Cairo handled 9,630, while Mumbai dealt with 4,946. Other busy missions included London, Washington, Amman, Abu Dhabi, New Delhi and Jakarta. Workloads varied across different posts. The Bahrain embassy in Baghdad dealt with 82 requests, while Geneva recorded 90. Mission Paris logged 457, while mission in Seoul handled matters for nine Bahraini students. The ministry also operates a 24-hour contact and response centre at its headquarters in Manama. It manages enquiries, complaints and emergencies, working closely with other departments and Bahraini missions abroad. A public survey conducted in 2024 found that 98.92 per cent of users were satisfied with the ministry's consular services, according to the ministry.
