Latest news with #AlibinFadhelAlBuainain
Daily Tribune
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Public Prosecution opens four-month training programme to protect marine wealth
TDT | Manama Bahrain has opened a fourmonth programme to toughen the enforcement of laws protecting its marine wealth, bringing together prosecutors, judges, police and environmental bodies under royal orders to defend a key source of food and income. Attorney General, Dr Ali bin Fadhel Al Buainain, launched the sessions yesterday. The event, titled 'Criminal Protection of Marine Wealth and Environment', has been arranged by the Public Prosecution, working with the Supreme Council for Environment, the Ministry of Interior, and the Judicial and Legal Studies Institute at the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Waqf. In his remarks, Dr Al Buainain said the Kingdom's marine resources were part of its heritage and a foundation of its development. Royal Directives He pointed to Royal Directives issued by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, calling for stronger action to protect marine life and preserve fish stocks as a source of food security and economic strength. The Attorney General said the programme forms part of a national effort to shield Bahrain's marine wealth, following swift government action to tackle threats facing the environment. He praised the personal involvement of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, in pushing through urgent measures. Dr Al Buainain also noted the work of Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Personal Representative of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council for Environment, in coordinating national efforts. Shared duty Protecting marine wealth, Dr Al Buainain said, was a shared duty between all concerned bodies. Success, he added, would depend on joint work and constant coordination. The training, he explained, would not only review the law but also tackle real-world challenges, ranging from detecting breaches and handling seizures to securing convictions in court. It aims to strengthen the enforcement system and close gaps in practical application. Given the scale of the task, the programme will run across four months to allow speakers and participants to cover all legal and practical sides fully. Address Dr Riyadh Seyadi, Director of the Judicial and Legal Studies Institute, also addressed the opening. He said the training fitted with the broader national plan laid down by HM the King to build food security, preserve resources and drive sustainable growth. Dr Seyadi added that care for the environment had become a national duty, and that building legal and technical skills was now essential for strong enforcement. Public bodies The programme includes a series of talks, lectures and workshops, touching on legal and practical topics to strengthen the ability of public bodies to enforce environmental and marine law. Sessions will be delivered by experts from the Public Prosecution, the Ministry of Interior and the Supreme Council for the Environment. Those taking part include judges, prosecutors, judicial officers from across ministries, representatives of companies active in marine fields, and those involved in related activities.
The National
07-02-2025
- Business
- The National
For all AI's many advantages, the Gulf needs to ensure its ethical use
The world finds itself at an interesting juncture, as AI develops rapidly and transforms industries at a pace not witnessed before. This has been further catalysed following the introduction of generative AI, which is projected to make an economic impact of $23.5 billion in the Gulf by 2030, according to recently published research by PwC. All six Gulf countries have been proactive in seeking investments and building strategic partnerships, demonstrating commitment to technological innovation as a whole. In fact, governments across the region have placed AI at the heart of their broader national visions. AI is a crucial component of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy. The UAE's Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031 and Oman's National Programme for Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Digital Technologies are other powerful examples. Countries in the region been committed to incorporating AI in their smart city plans. The highly anticipated Neom city in Saudi Arabia, for example, is poised to be a futuristic city with AI-powered solutions in optimising transportation, utilities and various public services. However, even though AI has been adopted in a number of areas and continues to expand in the region, there is room for further investment that will empower countries to be able to capitalise on opportunities set to emerge from the upcoming technological revolution. Citizens' trust is a key driver in implementing AI. Gulf countries report high levels of trust between citizens and governments, and paired with widespread digitalisation, this helps to set the stage for the region to adopt AI products in myriad spaces. However, there are risks associated with this new realm, presenting the need for an elaborate ecosystem and processes that ensure safe and optimal use of these technologies across all sectors. The first step would be to further strengthen the institutions that are in place to regulate the use of AI in various domains. This is particularly challenging given the rapid speed at which AI is evolving. At the Gulf Co-operation Council's Prosecutors Meeting in October, Bahrain's attorney general, Ali bin Fadhel Al Buainain, proposed unified AI laws for the region. This could very well be the best way forward. The EU's AI Act, the world's first legal framework that addresses risks that could stem from the AI revolution, follows a risk-based approach. This means that all AI systems that present clear threats to safety, livelihood and rights of humans are banned, whereas high-risk systems are subject to scrutiny before they are put in use. Limited-risk AI applications are allowed as long as there is transparency, while low or minimal-risk systems are free to be used. This legal framework serves as a useful benchmark. However, it is important to consider the nuances of the socio-cultural and political environments in the region in order to ensure that AI is being used ethically and safely in the region. The mitigation of risks associated with AI is an area that can be looked at. One way for Gulf countries to establish relevant laws and ethical guidelines would be to appoint regional and local committees of experts that can follow the industry and reduce possibilities of any harm. In this regard, it would help for the region's governments to nurture relationships with global leaders in the field as well as regulatory boards in other parts of the world. Second, it is crucial for the Gulf to continue investing in infrastructure to meet the burgeoning demand for AI. The need for more data centres as well as specialised chips – which are now in short supply – is especially high. Data centres have been described as 'nerve centres of the digital economy'. It is, therefore, imperative for countries to continue investing in them and ensuring that they support national economic growth. Furthermore, it is important to keep an eye on sustainability in this realm of development, given that data centres are energy-intensive structures, such as seeking green solutions. Khazna Data Centres, a telecommunications contractor in the UAE, is addressing this specific aspect by investing in a plant that will use solar energy for its data centre extension in Masdar City. There is immense scope for other companies to use such strategies; given the many interesting renewable projects under way across the region, and the potential to reap benefits such as optimum levels of solar energy, there is capacity to ensure that the growth of these data centres is environmentally sustainable. Third, Gulf countries will fully embrace the AI revolution with ever closer engagement with youth and the broader workforce. In order to seamlessly and safely integrate AI in businesses, there will always be a need for specialised and ongoing training. This involves already existing educational institutions working in conjunction with market leaders to ensure that graduates are prepared to enter the rapidly transforming job market. The establishment of the Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in Abu Dhabi in 2019 is an example of the kind of forward thinking that is required to prepare the next generation of AI talent, be it entrepreneurs or professionals. Gulf countries have come a long way in embracing a phenomenon as transformative as AI in such a short span of time. The next would be for them to use the available resources wisely and proactively to mitigate any associated risks. I don't doubt that the region will fare well in this new era of the digital age, and I look forward to witnessing continued innovation and growth resulting from the combined efforts of our wise leaders, hardworking governments and dedicated citizens.
