HE Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, participated in the 14th Energy Markets Forum 2026, held on October 6 and 7 in the United Arab Emirates, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah.
The forum was attended by ministers, senior officials, decision-makers, chief executives and experts from the energy, transportation, shipping and logistics sectors.
The forum was held under the theme "Bolstering Resilience and Delivering Opportunity", and discussed developments in global energy markets, the security and continuity of supply chains, and the role of ports, maritime transport, storage, logistics and digital infrastructure in supporting trade and energy flows. It also reviewed opportunities for cooperation and investment in integrated trade corridors.
The Minister delivered the keynote address at the official dinner of the ninth edition of the Aramco Trading New Silk Road CEO of the Year Awards 2026. He said energy security is linked to the safe and reliable movement of energy to markets and to the ability of ports, shipping, storage, insurance and telecommunications services to operate within an integrated system.
HE Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed said resilience is built by ensuring reliable alternatives are available and can be activated when needed. He highlighted the importance of enhancing multimodal corridors among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries through effective links between ports and road networks, alongside flexible border procedures, integrated logistics connections and commercially viable operating models.
The Minister also emphasised the importance of integrated planning for maritime and air connectivity to support urgent shipments and essential goods when conventional routes are disrupted, noting that air freight complements rather than replaces maritime transport. He said Bahrain’s National Aviation Strategy 2026–2027 supports this approach by enhancing connectivity and developing aviation, maintenance, repair and overhaul, and logistics services.
HE Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed also participated in a session on leadership and national policies, where he said resilience is achieved through smart interdependence rather than complete self-sufficiency, while countries retain sovereign capabilities in regulation, security, customs clearance and cargo data and benefit from trusted partnerships, shared infrastructure and reciprocal access to reserve capacity.
HE Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed said strategic infrastructure provides viable alternatives when a route is disrupted, including alternative ports, reserve berths, storage, bunkering, land corridors, air freight and secure digital networks.
The Minister called for advance arrangements for reciprocal port access, recognition of digital customs and cargo data, coordinated financing for rail, storage and bunkering facilities, and joint exercises to test response readiness before crises occur.
Last Updated Date: 08-10-2026
