The Bahrain Centre for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (DERASAT) has convened for its second periodic meeting. DERASAT board of Trustees’ Chairman Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa presided over the session which was attended also by Dr. Ahmed Hashim Al-Yousha’a, Dr. Wahib Isa Al-Nasser, Ambassador Tawfik Ahmed Al-Mansouri and Dr. Abdulrahman Abdulhussain Jawaheri.

The panel discussed plans to develop the think tank to better deal with the current internal and external developments and achieve its pre-set objectives. It reviewed the cooperation agreements which were signed by DERASAT during the second quarter of this year with other acknowledged regional and international think tanks to hold joint programmes and build research competences.

Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa stressed the role of the think tank to strengthen community partnership, contribute to achieving sustainable development and confronting terrorism and extremist ideologies. He paid tribute to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa for leading the reform project that promotes moderation stemming from tolerant Islamic teachings.