Manama, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, commended the role of Bahraini youth in decision-making, innovation, and their contribution to the comprehensive development process, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. Marking International Youth Day, themed 'Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development', the minister expressed his pride in the contributions of Bahraini youth, highlighting their dedication and creativity in achieving sustainable development goals across economic, social, and environmental sectors. He also emphasised their commitment to enhancing their scientific and technical capabilities and elevating Bahrain's position in various regional and international forums. Dr. Al Zayani commended Bahrain's efforts in empowering youth and developing their talents, in line with the royal vision and government developmental programmes, particularly the Prime Minister's Fellowship Programme. He also commended the initiatives led by His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, which are supported by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and align with the National Human Rights Plan (2022-2026), the National Youth Strategy, and Bahrain Economic Vision 2030. He expressed pride in the achievements of Bahraini youth across various fields, particularly their first-place ranking among Arab nations in the Paris 2024 Olympics, and the high ranking on the 2023 Global Youth Development Index (YDI). He also noted Bahrain's fifth rank worldwide and third in the Arab world in the 2024 ICT Development Index (IDI) issued by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). He said these achievements highlight Bahrain's success in implementing its ICT and Digital Economy Strategy (2022-2026) and the Sixth National Telecommunications Plan (2023-2026). Th e minister also emphasised the contributions of young diplomats and administrative staff at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, diplomatic missions, and international organisations. He reiterated the government's commitment to empowering youth and producing qualified professionals with diplomatic, legal, and human rights expertise through various programmes, including those offered by the Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa Academy for Diplomatic Studies (MBMA). Dr. Al Zayani commended Bahrain's pioneering regional and global initiatives, such as the King Hamad Youth Empowerment Award to Achieve SDGs, in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme, and the Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Global Award for Women's Empowerment, in collaboration with UN Women. He also highlighted Bahrain's leadership in fostering cooperation in financial technology, innovation, and digital transformation, highlighting the Kingdom's commitment to empowering youth and enhancing their role in building a prosperous f uture. Source : Bahrain News Agency