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العربية

His Royal Highness

Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa

Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and Prime Minister

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 master’s degree in Philosophy and History. His Royal Highness was sworn in as Crown Prince of the Kingdom 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 of the same year.

On 24 February 2001, His Royal Highness played a prominent role in chairing and supervising the National Action Charter Committee, which specialised at that time in proposing recommendations and policies necessary to activate the mechanism of principles stipulated in the National Action Charter.

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 as Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, where he supervises general policy implementation as well as the military, administrative, economic, and financial plans of the Bahrain Defence Force and the National Guard. He also exercises any other powers granted to him by the Supreme Commander.

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 accelerating development across the Kingdom, particularly the economic, educational, and health sectors.

On 11 November 2020, His Royal Highness was appointed Prime Minister by His Majesty the King. His Royal Highness presides over cabinet meetings and oversees, reviews, and approves significant national policies and initiatives.

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  • Current Positions

    • On 9 March 1999, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa took the constitutional oath to become the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

    • Since 3 March 2002, His Royal Highness has chaired the Economic Development Board meetings, which set strategic plans and programmes for developing the economy and attracting investment. Through his chairmanship of the Economic Development Board, His Royal Highness played an active role promoting and launching national dialogues on various local affairs.

    • On 6 January 2008, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa issued Royal Decree No. 1 of 2008, appointing His Royal Highness as Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. In this role, His Royal Highness supervises the implementation of public policy, as well as military, administrative, economic, and financial plans for the Bahrain Defence Force and the National Guard. He also exercises any other powers granted to him by the Commander-in-Chief.

    • On 15 July 2013, His Royal Highness was appointed Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Natural Resources and Economic Security by royal decree. The committee sets strategies aimed at ensuring economic security and safeguarding natural and energy resources for the public interest. In accordance with the directives of His Majesty the King, the committee has worked tirelessly to increase Bahrain’s resources by prioritising oil exploration. These efforts culminated in the discovery of the largest oil field in the history of Bahrain in 2018.

    • On 11 May 2016, His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, was appointed Chairman of the High Urban Planning Committee by Royal Decree No. 35 of 2016. The committee sets strategies to develop urban areas across the Kingdom, ensuring sustainable development.

    • His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister chairs the Supreme Commission for the Royal Fund for Fallen Servicemen, established by Royal Order on 4 April 2016. The Commission draws up policies to manage the fund’s operations and ensures alignment with the objectives and eligibility criteria of the Fund.

    • His Royal Highness was appointed First Vice President of the Royal Family Council on 22 February 2018 by Royal Decree No. (14) of 2018.

    • His Royal Highness has been chairing the Civil Service Council since 23 October 2018 under Royal Decree No. (50) of 2018. In this role, His Royal Highness oversees the establishment of the Civil Service Council, improves the performance of the executive authority, and issues all other relevant decisions, including appointing decision makers and supervising their transfer to Ministries and government agencies.

    • His Royal Highness presides over the Government Executive Committee, which oversees government work and programmes, sets government priorities, monitors vital projects, resolves referred government issues, and supervises performance plans and government modernisation strategies.

    • On 11 November 2020, His Royal Highness was appointed Prime Minister by Royal Decree No. (44) of 2020.

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Initiatives

Bahraini citizens remain at the core of the Kingdom’s development

01Bahrain Economic Vision 2030

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

02Establishment of a unified legislative system to oversee the financial services sector

In 2002, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister envisioned the establishment of a unified legislative system to oversee the Kingdom’s financial services sector. This vision materialised through the issuance of Decree No. 64 of 2006, which introduced the Central Bank of Bahrain and Financial Institutions Law. This law marked the creation of the Central Bank of Bahrain, replacing the Bahrain Monetary Agency and consolidating its role as the overarching regulatory authority for financial sector institutions, encompassing banks, insurance companies, and capital market firms. Consequently, this move bolstered the Kingdom’s standing as a global financial centre for banks and financial institutions.

03Reforms in the Telecommunication Sector

His Royal Highness has contributed significantly to the development of the Kingdom’s telecommunications industry. His leadership has improved the sector's competitiveness and regulatory environment in accordance with international standards of transparency, equity, and free market laws. In addition to this, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister has driven policies that have contributed to the expansion of integrated services and the use of innovative technologies for Bahraini citizens and institutions.

04Labour Market Reforms

The Kingdom’s labour market reforms were led by His Royal Highness, which resulted in the establishment of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) and the Labour Fund (Tamkeen). Both entities have provided services and facilities to Bahraini citizens, ensuring Bahrainis remain the first choice in the labour market.

05Tender Board

His Royal Highness led the establishment of the Tender Board, which has modernised the framework of tenders by increasing project transparency. As part of this effort, His Royal Highness promoted equal opportunities, increased the quality of offers, and optimised national resources.

06Education Reform

His Royal Highness has prioritised education reform, which he views as a main pillar of development. Notably, His Royal Highness has encouraged the implementation of new educational policies and advanced programs that keep up with global best practices and the latest developments in teaching and curricula.

His Royal Highness emphasises that education reform projects must empower youth to harness their capabilities and creativity so they become active participants in the Kingdom’s development across all sectors of the economy.

In light of this, several major education initiatives were launched, including the Bahrain National Higher Education Strategy, the Vocational Education and Training Programme, School Performance Improvement, the Education & Training Quality Authority, and the Bahrain Teachers College.

07The Crown Prince International Scholarship Program

As part of his personal drive to provide greater opportunities and skills development for Bahrain’s youth, His Royal Highness established the Crown Prince International Scholarship Programme (CPISP) in 1999. The Programme provides Bahrain’s most gifted and talented young citizens the opportunity to learn at the finest international educational institutions. In addition, it provides its scholars with career development support and training, equipping them with the necessary tools to become effective decision makers and contribute to Bahrain’s development, both nationally and globally.

08Regulating the healthcare sector

His Royal Highness is committed to providing Bahraini citizens with access to quality healthcare services. To advance this objective, His Royal Highness is driving forward the Kingdom’s health regulation programme using a wide range of healthcare initiatives devised by the Kingdom’s Economic Development Board. For instance, HRH strengthened the Ministry of Health’s role in developing policy and regulating the National Health Regulatory Authority.

09The Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix

Since launching the region’s first Formula One track in 2004, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister has continued to play a fundamental role in positioning Bahrain as the home of motorsport in the region. At the 2024 Grand Prix, the Kingdom celebrated twenty years of Formula One. This signature global sporting event continues to be a vital pillar in the Kingdom’s wider economic diversification strategy.

Weekly Majlis

Interacting with the Kingdom’s diverse society

His Royal Highness holds a weekly Majlis, which embraces the diverse cultures and traditions of the Kingdom. The meeting is attended by a cross-section of Bahraini society including members of the Royal family, senior government officials, community leaders, and Bahraini citizens and residents.

About His Royal Highness
  • Positions Held

    • His Royal Highness assumed the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force from 22 March 1999 to 6 January 2008.

    • His Royal Highness assumed the Presidency of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, which supervises youth and sports activities in Bahrain, from 1 June 1999 until 2010.

    • On 24 February 2001, His Royal Highness chaired the National Action Charter Committee. The National Action Charter is a national document which lays out the principles of transparency, cooperation, and popular participation to advance Bahrain’s development and Bahraini citizens’ aspirations. The National Charter was adopted on 14 February 2001 following a referendum which overwhelmingly approved the document.

    • His Royal Highness was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Bahrain Centre for Studies and Research in 1992, before becoming the Chairman of the Board of Trustees from 1995 to 1999. His Royal Highness served as Undersecretary of the Ministry of Defence from 1995 to 1999.

    • On 11 March 2013, His Royal Highness was appointed First Deputy Prime Minister by Royal Decree No. 14 of 2013. In this role, His Royal Highness enhanced the performance of the Government Executive Committee. His Royal Highness helped align government programmes with the principles of the National Action Charter and strengthened cross-agency cooperation to achieve government efficiency and integrated services. His Royal Highness was re-appointed to the same position by Royal Decree 83 of 2014.

  • International Engagements

    • The Crown Prince regularly participates in international seminars and conferences as a keynote speaker. His Royal Highness’ recent engagements include The World Economic Forum, The Clinton Global Initiative, The World Islamic Economic Forum, The Future Investment Initiative, Green Middle East, COP26, and Jeddah Security and Development Summit. In addition to these, His Royal Highness also hosts the International Institute of Strategic Studies’ annual Manama Dialogue, which is considered the region’s leading security summit.

  • Education

    • His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa 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 master’s degree in Philosophy and History.

  • Family and Hobbies

    • His Royal Highness Prince Salman has four children, two sons and two daughters. Outside of his official duties, His Royal Highness Prince Salman has a variety of hobbies, including marksmanship, scuba diving, and motorsports.

  • Awards and Honours

    • Order of Sheikh Isa Ibn Salman Al Khalifa (Wisam al-Shaikh ‘Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa), First Class

    • King Hamad Order of the Renaissance, First 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

    • The Force Order commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Bahrain Defence Force

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Publications on His Royal Highness
Speeches of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa
‘First Vision Salman’ book
‘Salman bin Hamad: the Present and the Future’ book