Overview

His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa was born on 21 October 1969, and is the eldest son of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa.

His Royal Highness Prince Salman was educated in Bahrain, and subsequently attended the American University in Washington DC, graduating with a BA in Public Administration. He went on to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Cambridge, where he earned a Masters in Philosophy and History.

His Royal Highness was sworn in as Crown Prince of the State of Bahrain on 9 March 1999, following his father’s accession to the throne as Amir of Bahrain, and assumed the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force on 22 March the same year. Prior to his appointment as Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Prince Salman served as Undersecretary of Defence from 1995 to 1999 and also as Vice Chairman and then Chairman of the Bahrain Centre for Studies and Research. On 3 March 2002, His Royal Highness was appointed Chairman of the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), which is responsible for formulating and overseeing the Kingdom’s economic development strategy and attracting foreign direct investment into Bahrain. On 6 January 2008, His Majesty King Hamad appointed His Royal Highness Prince Salman to the post of Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

In March 2013, His Royal Highness was appointed by His Majesty the King as First Deputy Prime Minister. In this capacity His Royal Highness played a key role in promoting development within the Kingdom as well as supporting important development of economic, education and health services

On 23 October 2018, His Royal Highness was appointed by royal decree (50/2018) as Chairman of the Civil Service Council. In this capacity, His Royal Highness plays a key role in further improving public sector efficiency through effective resource allocation, including the appointment of directors across government departments and entities.

On 11 November 2020, His Royal Highness was appointed by His Majesty the King as Prime Minister.

Development

Playing a key role in His Majesty King Hamad’s reform programme, His Royal Highness Prince Salman was appointed as Chairman of the Committee for Implementation of the National Charter in 2001. The Charter provides a comprehensive blueprint for Bahrain’s future development based on the principles of transparency, co-operation and popular participation. The Charter rendered Bahrain a constitutional monarchy and established a Constitutional Court, an independent judiciary, and a bicameral parliamentary system.

Furthermore, as Chairman of the Economic Development Board, His Royal Highness has initiated a wide range of policy initiatives aimed at broadening the economic base, enhancing business competitiveness and improving education and skills training.

In 2006, Bahrain’s Labor Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) and Labor Fund (Tamkeen), which fall under the leadership of HRH, were established by royal decree. The LMRA, which offers a number of services and facilities to Bahrain’s citizens, is part of the economic development initiative to advance a national plan for the labour market.

In 2008, under the chairmanship of the Crown Prince, the EDB launched Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030, a comprehensive strategy for the Kingdom’s economic development which aims to enhance the standard of living of all Bahrain’s citizens.

As Chairman of the EDB, Prince Salman has implemented a clear vision for the development of education, providing future generations with the qualifications and skills needed to face today’s global economy. The launch of the National Strategy for Higher Education has seen a variety of programmes implemented to further develop Bahrain’s schools, enhance professional education and training and improve students’ performance. These efforts have resulted in the establishment of the National Authority for Qualifications and Quality Assurance of Education and Training (QQA) alongside the Bahrain Teachers College.

His Royal Highness is committed to providing quality healthcare services to all Bahraini citizens. His Royal Highness Prince Salman continues to drive forward the Kingdom’s programme of health regulation through a range of healthcare initiatives and objectives devised by the EDB, including strengthening the role of the Ministry of Health in developing policies and governance.

Another key priority for the Crown Prince is the completion of significant housing, infrastructure, and social development projects being conducted under the GCC Development Programme. Prince Salman continues to chair meetings of the Government's Executive Committee and receive updates on the programme’s implementation that aims to provide a better quality of life for all Bahrainis.

His Royal Highness also heads the High Urban Planning Committee, a committee responsible for upgrading Bahrain’s planning laws to ensure sustainable urban development.

In early 2014, the government’s Tawasul platform was launched under the supervision of the Government's Executive Committee. Tawasul, meaning “to be connected”, enables citizens to anonymously lodge complaints about government services. Any government entity that has received a complaint is compelled to respond, and all required actions must be processed within a clearly defined schedule.

First Deputy Prime Minister

In his role as First Deputy Prime Minister, the Crown Prince was directly involved in further aligning the government’s reform programme with the delivery principles and aspirations of the 2001 National Action Charter. This included strengthening existing institutions, and enhancing accountability, rights and justice, with a focus on improved quality of life and economic growth.

Soon after his appointment as First Deputy Prime Minister, the Crown Prince devised and implemented a series of comprehensive policies and programmes to enhance coordination among ministries and ensure the effective implementation of the government’s development plan.

Crown Prince International Scholarship Programme

As part of his personal drive to provide greater opportunities and skills development for Bahrain’s youth, in 1999 His Royal Highness established the Crown Prince International Scholarship Programme (CPISP).

CPISP gives Bahrain's most gifted and talented youth the opportunity to study at some of the world’s leading educational institutions. To date, more than 140 students from across Bahraini society have been awarded the scholarship, and have had the opportunity to study abroad including the UK, US and France.

Domestic and international engagement

His Royal Highness holds a weekly Majlis, based on the culture and traditions of the Kingdom, which is attended by a wide cross section of Bahraini society including members of the royal family, senior government officials, community leaders and Bahrain’s citizens.

His Royal Highness continues to welcome world officials to Bahrain and to lead delegations abroad in his concerted effort to further improve political relations and boost economic ties with the Kingdom’s global partners.

The Crown Prince is also regularly sought after as a keynote speaker at international seminars and conferences. Recent engagements have included The World Economic Forum, Clinton Global Initiative, and the World Islamic Economic Forum. His Royal Highness also hosts the International Institute of Strategic Studies’ annual Manama Dialogue, the region’s leading security summit.

Formula One

The Crown Prince has played a fundamental role in positioning Bahrain as the region’s pioneer for motorsport, delivering the region’s first Formula One track launched to critical acclaim in 2004. The Kingdom celebrated eleven years of Formula One in the Middle East with the 2015 Bahrain Grand Prix, the signature event in a sport that also forms a vital pillar in the Kingdom’s broad and diverse economic strategy.

Awards and honours

His Royal Highness has been awarded a number of honours, these include:

• Order of Sheikh Isa ibn Salman Al Khalifa (Wisam al-Shaikh ‘Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa), First Class
• King Hamad Order of the Renaissance 1st class (Wisam al Nahda)
• Order of Ahmad Al Fateh (Wisam Ahmad al-Fateh), First Class
• Order of Bahrain (Wisam al-Bahrein), First Class
• The Prince Salman bin Hamad Medal for Medical Merit
• The Medal of Military Merit (Wissam al-Khidmat al-Askari), First Class
• Hawar Medal (Wisam al-Hawar), First Class
• Kuwait Liberation Medal, First Class
• Jordan Grand Cordon of the Order of the Renaissance (Wisam al-Nahda), First Class
• UAE Collar of the Order of Etihad

Family and hobbies

Prince Salman has two sons and two daughters. Outside of his official duties, Prince Salman has a number of hobbies, including marksmanship, scuba diving and motorsports.

Last Update: 28 December 2022