Deputized by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, His Majesty’s Representative for Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs, opened the new edition of the Bahrain International Show "Mara’ee 2026".

On the occasion, His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa expressed thanks and appreciation to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for entrusting him with opening the Bahrain International Show "Mara’ee 2026", and for His Majesty’s patronage of this show and the continuous care he devotes to the various development sectors in the Kingdom of Bahrain. His Highness commended the significant support and tireless efforts of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, in translating His Majesty the King’s visions and aspirations into national plans, programmes and initiatives that advance comprehensive and sustainable development and consolidate the foundations of food security, which achieve further progress and prosperity for the Kingdom of Bahrain.

His Highness emphasised the special and significant attention the Kingdom of Bahrain accords to supporting, preserving and developing the livestock and agricultural sectors, as that they constitute a fundamental pillar for achieving comprehensive development, raising national food security levels and ensuring its sustainability.

His Highness praised the programmes, plans and projects being implemented by the Government, headed by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, which target the areas of agricultural, livestock and marine development to enhance food security and develop the food industry.

His Highness thanked the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture for its commendable efforts in the sophisticated and successful organisation of this important international show, praising its national initiatives to promote innovation and development in agricultural and livestock production and to secure its sources, and its ongoing commitment to utilising modern technology and techniques to boost food productivity in this sector. His Highness also emphasised the importance of continuing to support national plans in agriculture and food security with further significant ideas and innovations.

His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa praised the great and sustained success achieved by the Bahrain International Show "Mara’ee" since its inception, and the extensive global participation in this year’s edition and previous editions, which reaffirms the Kingdom’s leadership in attracting such high-calibre specialised exhibitions that serve the national economy and encourage investment in agricultural and livestock production to achieve self-sufficiency in certain food products.

His Highness also commended the significant and distinguished participation of local companies and institutions in this year’s show, as well as the commitment to preserving local production and working to develop it and improve its quality by drawing on the latest international expertise and scientific technologies used in this vital sector.

His Highness thanked Kingdom of Morocco for participating in the ceremony and for the performances made by the Moroccan horsemen, emphasising that this participation stems from the close and historic relations between the two countries.

His Highness commended the efforts of national professionals in promoting innovation and the sustainable development of agricultural and livestock production, and in implementing vital projects that support the Kingdom’s aspirations to achieve food security.

His Highness also commended the cultural and entertainment events and activities accompanying the show, which feature a number of exhibitors and attract a wide audience from both within Bahrain and abroad, commending all the national efforts that contribute to the success of this international show.

Upon arrival, His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa was received by Engineer Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, as well as senior officials.

After the Royal Anthem, the ceremony began with a recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an. The Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture then delivered a speech in which he said:

His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, His Majesty’s Representative for Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs

Your Highnesses, Your Excellencies and Honourable Guests,

Distinguished guests,

May the Peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you,

It is my honour, on my own behalf and on behalf of all staff at the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture and the Organising Committee of the Bahrain International Show "Mara’ee 2026", to convey to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa my deepest gratitude and appreciation for His Majesty’s patronage of this event, which embodies His Majesty’s ongoing commitment to enhancing food security and consolidating the principles of sustainability, and represents a continuation of the tradition of specialised agricultural exhibitions that began and developed in the Kingdom of Bahrain in the 1950s.

This exhibition coincides with the Year of Isa Al Kabeer, during which we commemorate the legacy of the founder of the modern state, the late Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, and the foundations he laid for the establishment of modern institutions and administration. As we move into the Year of Isa bin Salman, during which construction and development continues, our sense of loyalty to the historic leaders who contributed to Bahrain’s development and the consolidation of the foundations of the modern state is renewed.

The Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture has been closely linked to this legacy since the establishment of the first municipality in Bahrain in 1919, making the development of services and progress a renewed objective and an ongoing national responsibility.

Inspired by the national vision led by His Majesty the King, and under the guidance and supervision of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the Ministry regards agriculture as a cornerstone of food security, economic development and environmental sustainability.

We also continue to build upon the pioneering vision of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of His Majesty the King and President of the Advisory Council of the National Initiative for Agricultural Development and the initiatives she has launched which enhanced the sustainability of the agricultural sector.

His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa

This year has seen significant achievements in the agricultural sector, as the Ministry has continued to support local production and encourage investment in agriculture and livestock, which contributed to enhancing national food security and supporting the Kingdom’s drive to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2060. Under the guidance and supervision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Ministry planted more than 2.23 million mangrove saplings and 2.45 million trees; we do not view these figures merely as statistical indicators, but rather as a national investment in the environment and the future of coming generations.

Bahrain’s efforts in this field have also received significant international recognition, with the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture winning the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, while four Bahraini villages have received international recognition from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations under the Agricultural Villages Initiative, reflecting the advanced status achieved by Bahrain’s agricultural sector.

In line with the Ministry’s commitment to supporting the national agricultural sector, a national campaign to promote local agricultural produce "Grown in Bahrain" will be launched this year, aimed at strengthening the presence of Bahraini agricultural products in local markets and highlighting the quality of national produce.

This year’s Show will, for the first time, host the ‘Conference on Engineering and Innovation for Sustainable Food Security’ in collaboration with the Bahrain Society of Engineers, bringing together a group of experts, specialists and decision-makers to discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with achieving sustainable food security, as well as solutions that promote the efficient use of natural resources, in support of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s efforts to strengthen its food security system and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa,

The food security system in the Kingdom, which is the result of His Majesty the King’s noble vision, and the diligent follow-up by the Government headed by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has proven its robustness, reliability and capacity for sustainability and resilience in the face of exceptional challenges, particularly in the hostile attacks on our beloved country. The efficiency of this system has been evident in the continuity of supply and supply chains, alongside the efficient continuation of local agricultural and livestock production, reflecting the government’s efforts and integration with the private sector. This resilience confirms that food security is not merely a response to changing circumstances, but rather an integrated national system based on planning and ensuring preparedness in all circumstances and challenges.

In conclusion, I express my loyalty, gratitude and appreciation to His Majesty the King, for his patronage of this international show and for his commitment to supporting comprehensive development in the Kingdom of Bahrain. I would also like to extend my sincere thanks and praise to all the sponsors, partners and contributors from institutions, companies and ministries, whose combined efforts and cooperation, in a spirit of national responsibility, have embodied the true meaning of the ‘Team Bahrain’ spirit.

This was followed by a Bahraini heritage performance by the Al Kary team.

An international horse show titled ‘The Spirit of Morocco’ was then presented, which won the admiration of the audience.

Afterwards, artists Aseel Abu Bakr and Fouad Abdulwahed performed a song for titled ‘Al Ahd Rasikh’ with lyrics by poet Younis Salman and music by Abdullah Abdulmajeed.

His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa honoured the first place winners of the various competitions.

His Highness then honoured the organisations that had supported the show.

The members of the Show’s Supreme Organising Committee greeted His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

The Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture then presented a commemorative gift to His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and the attendees then toured the art exhibition organised on the occasion, which featured paintings, creative works and a variety of heritage artefacts, alongside a falconry display and other diverse exhibits. The exhibitors briefed His Highness on their artistic works.

His Highness expressed his admiration for the exquisite and distinctive art on display, commending the efforts made in preparing this show, wishing the organisers success.

His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa was then bid farewell.