This makes Zain one of the highest-rated companies across the region of all industries within the MSCI ESG assessment universe and places Zain Group in the Leader category among a global peer universe of 164 telecommunications companies.

Zain cemented its position among the highest-performing telecommunications companies in the GCC ,including Zain Bahrain, while reinforcing the momentum of its long-term ESG journey and demonstrating the effectiveness of the Group’s approach to identifying and managing material ESG risks and opportunities.

“Achieving an ‘AA’ ESG rating marks a defining milestone in Zain’s transformation into a purpose-driven TechCo. It is a collective, Group-wide achievement that validates the disciplined execution of our ‘4WARD-Progress with Purpose’ strategy. Across Zain’s ecosystem, our Boards, governance structures and sustainability teams are embedding sound environmental, social and governance practices into strategic decision-making and operational execution,” Zain Vice-Chairman and Group CEO, Bader Al-Kharafi, said.

“Our progression to an ‘AA’ rating demonstrates that credible ESG leadership is built through consistent action, transparent measurement and accountability. By ensuring that our governance frameworks remain aligned with evolving international standards and best practices across every business function, we have strengthened our ability to anticipate risks, safeguard stakeholder trust and create lasting value. This progress also advances our purpose: Better Lives. Lasting Connections.’”

“Zain ‘AA’ MSCI ESG rating is a significant achievement that reflects how sustainability and responsible business practices are increasingly embedded across our operations. At Zain Bahrain, we see ESG not simply as a corporate responsibility, but as an important component of how we create long-term value for our customers, employees, shareholders and the wider community. This direction is particularly relevant in Bahrain, where sustainability, competitiveness and innovation remain central to the Kingdom’s long-term economic development,” Ammar Al-Ketbi,  Zain Bahrain CEO, said.

The latest assessment recognized Zain’s continued advancement across several material areas, with the Group performing above the telecommunications industry average in privacy and data security, labor management, environmental practices and corporate behavior, including internal controls and policies.

Zain’s data security practices were identified as leading those of industry peers, supported by pre-emptive measures, established incident-response mechanisms and provisions for conducting due diligence on the data-security practices of suppliers.

The assessment also recognized the Group’s efforts to strengthen employee engagement and responsible workplace practices through measures to support a culture in which ethical conduct, employee experience and accountability are treated as core components of long-term business performance.

Zain’s ‘AA’ rating reinforces the strategic importance the Group places on effective oversight, ethical leadership, transparent reporting and disciplined risk management. These practices provide stakeholders with greater confidence that the company is being managed responsibly while supporting its ability to navigate an increasingly complex technological, regulatory and geopolitical environment.

MSCI ESG Ratings assess companies’ resilience to financially relevant, industry-specific sustainability risks and opportunities. Companies receive an industry-relative rating on a seven-level scale ranging from ‘AAA’ to ‘CCC’, based on their exposure to relevant risks and the effectiveness of their management practices.

“Zain Bahrain continues to support the Kingdom’s economic development through digital innovation, advanced technology solutions and responsible business practices, in line with Bahrain Economic Vision 2030. This also reflects Zain Group’s ‘4WARD – Progress with Purpose’ strategy, which strengthens ESG practices across its operations while creating sustainable value for customers, employees, communities and the wider economy.”

The meeting discussed regional crime trends and emerging threats in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as the priorities of regional security partners and ways to enhance coordination and integration among law enforcement agencies in the region.

It also addressed mechanisms for strengthening regional cooperation and operational coordination, contributing to joint efforts to combat various forms of crime and address security challenges.

This edition builds on the discussions launched during the inaugural “Hawar Circle”, which brought together 14 leading arbitration practitioners to revisit and develop the core principles of arbitration, reflecting Bahrain’s commitment to enhancing international cooperation and setting future standards in the arbitration community.

The gathering continues to focus on reviewing and renewing the foundational standards of arbitration, inspired by the “Centenary Principles” of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) in London. Building on the groundwork laid in the first edition, this year’s “Hawar Circle” turns its attention to three key areas: Immunity, Professional Ethics, and the Right of Representation in international arbitration.

Participants examined key practical challenges in international arbitration, encourage the exchange of experiences, and promote cooperation to continue identifying principles that contribute to effective dispute resolution. The discussions will contribute to the ongoing development of the “Hawar Principles”, first initiated in the inaugural edition, which remains subject to a global review period ahead of their final adoption.

The concept underpinning the “Hawar Circle” draws on the historical gatherings that have played a defining role in shaping the path of international arbitration, most notably the 1961 Geneva meeting known as the “Chambésy Circle”, which paved the way for the establishment of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA). This historical inspiration underscores the initiative’s aspiration to forge a fresh framework for global collaboration in advancing the practice of arbitration.

 Both sides discussed means to further strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation in maritime affairs, serving the shared interests of the two countries.

The meeting reviewed opportunities to develop institutional and technical cooperation in the maritime sector and exchange expertise and best practices. They also discussed issues of mutual interest, including developing maritime services, improving the sector’s efficiency and enhancing coordination between the relevant authorities in the two countries.

Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed and Minister Hadjimanolis signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in maritime affairs between the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications of Bahrain and the Ministry of Shipping of Cyprus, with the aim of strengthening bilateral cooperation and expanding partnership opportunities in the maritime sector on the basis of mutual benefit.

The MoU covers areas of maritime cooperation, including maritime safety and security, search and rescue, protection of the marine environment, as well as training, exchange of expertise, innovation and modern technologies related to the maritime sector.

Both sides also discussed means to implement areas of cooperation through joint programmes and initiatives and the exchange of expertise and experience, contributing to the development of the maritime sector and enhancing opportunities for trade and investment cooperation between institutions and companies in the two countries.

The signing of the MoU builds on the existing maritime cooperation between the Kingdom and Cyprus, supporting the development of maritime cooperation and building on previous partnerships.

The Cabinet highlighted the meeting that took place between His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, during which the longstanding Bahrain-UAE partnership and areas of multisectoral collaboration were reviewed.

The Cabinet commended the visit of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, to the Gadeha Junior “Up to the Challenge” training camp.

The camp was held under the directives of Lieutenant General His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, National Security Advisor and Royal Guard Commander, and supervised by Colonel His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Commander of the Royal Guard Special Operations.

The Cabinet commended the camp’s success and recognised the diverse training programmes and practical experiences it offers.

The Cabinet followed up on the directives of HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to hold a Parent Induction Day across all public schools to brief parents and guardians on the new academic year. In this regard, the Cabinet wished students, teachers and administrators a successful new academic year.

The Cabinet also followed up on the preparations by the Ministry of Interior to manage traffic flow around educational areas and ensure the safe transportation for students, parents, and educational staff. The Cabinet stressed the importance of the Ministry of Work’s road development projects, completed ahead of the school year, which will help improve traffic conditions.

The Cabinet welcomed Bahrain’s achievement of winning two awards at the Gulf Green Mobility Forum 2026: the “Sustainable Organisation” Award, received by Khalifa Bin Salman Port, and the “Leading Woman in Mobility” Award. The Cabinet noted that this achievement reflects the successful and integrated efforts of national bodies and institutions across the transportation sector.

Marking the International Day of Charity, the Cabinet affirmed the Kingdom of Bahrain’s support for various initiatives and efforts aimed at promoting a culture of charitable work and strengthening the values of giving and solidarity.

The forum discussed policies and initiatives related to sustainable transport, as well as means to enhance coordination and exchange expertise and best practices among GCC countries in this domain.

The Minister underscored the importance of further enhancing GCC cooperation and integration in sustainable transport and green mobility to support GCC countries’ sustainability and carbon neutrality targets and develop a more efficient and sustainable transport system that keeps pace with the sector’s future trends.

Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed highlighted the importance of building on GCC cooperation in the transport sector, further aligning technical standards related to green mobility, developing joint initiatives and projects, and leveraging innovation and modern technologies to support the transition towards more sustainable modes of transport.  He noted that these efforts would create broader opportunities for public-private partnerships.

Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed held a working meeting with Said bin Hamoud Al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology of the Sultanate of Oman.

The meeting discussed means to enhance bilateral cooperation in transport, telecommunications and information technology.  It also discussed the exchange of expertise in port operations, logistics, and the regulation and development of telecommunications.

The two sides also discussed prospects for cooperation, the exchange of expertise and capacity building in green mobility, and initiatives supporting GCC coordination and the development of joint solutions and projects in sustainable transport.

As part of the visit, the transportation minister toured the Salalah Data Centre and was briefed on its digital infrastructure and the technologies and solutions supporting cloud computing and artificial intelligence services.  He also reviewed its operational capabilities and role in supporting digital services and digital transformation.

As the first telecom operator in Bahrain to deploy a fully integrated contact center with native Arabic-dialect capabilities, stc Bahrain sets a new industry benchmark. Unlike systems that rely on generic translations, Bayan is purpose-built to understand Bahraini and Gulf Arabic nuances across voice, chat and back-office operations. Replacing legacy rules-based automation with cutting-edge digital technologies, the solution is designed to resolve up to 70% of routine contacts without human escalation, reducing average handling times by up to 30%.

Built on a governed, PDPL-compliant data foundation from day one, the platform will begin its phased rollout in Q4 2026, with full deployment across all care channels through 2027. stc Bahrain is delivering Bayan in partnership with Nabeh, a subsidiary of Master Works, through the Baseer Platform.

“This launch reflects our commitment to delivering innovation that meaningfully improves our customers’ lives,” Ahmed Alsharif, CTO at stc Bahrain, said. “Built with an Arabic-first mindset, Bayan provides seamless, 24/7 support tailored to how our customers actually speak. Crucially, we view advanced technology as an empowering tool for our agents, not a replacement. By equipping our team with real-time insights and anchoring the platform in the highest standards of data privacy, we are elevating customer satisfaction and empowering national talent in support of Bahrain’s digital vision.”

“This collaboration marks a milestone in integrating cutting-edge technologies into customer service operations and reflects Nabeh’s commitment to developing practical, scalable solutions with measurable operational impact. We are proud to partner with stc Bahrain on this project and look forward to seeing Bayan enhance operational efficiency and elevate service quality,” Eng. Hani Al-Lehaibi, CEO of Nabeh and Chairman of Master Works, said.

Showcased at LEAP 2026, the announcement of Bayan reinforces stc Bahrain’s leadership in deploying cutting-edge, enterprise-grade digital technologies across the region. By combining advanced technology with human expertise and a robust governance framework, stc Bahrain continues to set new standards for customer excellence, directly contributing to the Kingdom’s ambition to build a world-class digital economy.

The program’s conclusion marked the culmination of a training experience designed to develop participants’ capabilities and hone their professional skills. This was achieved through practical training opportunities at several companies under the Kooheji Group, providing them with firsthand experience of work across diverse sectors and specialisations, under the guidance of leading figures, experts, and specialists.

Throughout the program, students participated in practical activities, tasks, and projects that helped translate their academic knowledge into applied experience, while also developing their communication, teamwork, and professional work skills.

The success of this year’s program follows exceptional demand, with all available slots filling up in less than 24 hours after registration opened. Twenty-five participants were then selected through a competitive process designed to attract promising Bahraini talent.

A distinctive feature of this year’s program was the opportunity for the top-performing trainee to join the Kooheji Group as a full-time team member after completing their university studies. This initiative strengthens the link between training and career development, providing outstanding participants with a genuine pathway into the workforce.

“We are proud of what the Aspire participants have accomplished and commend their seriousness, ambition, and genuine desire to learn and grow. This experience underscores the importance of providing Bahraini youth with real practical opportunities to discover their potential, build expertise, and prepare for their professional futures,” On this occasion, Eng. Mohamed Al Kooheji, Group CEO of Kooheji, expressed pride in the program’s achievements, said.

“This year, we were keen to transcend traditional training by integrating knowledge with practical application, while offering the top-performing trainee the opportunity to join the group after graduation. We hope this motivates participants and demonstrates that hard work and excellence can open doors to meaningful career opportunities.”

He affirmed the Group’s commitment to enhancing the program’s impact, stating, “We will continue to build on this year’s success and strive to develop Aspire year after year. This stems from our belief that investing in young Bahraini talent is one of the most vital contributions the private sector can make to supporting the future of the labour market and the national economy.”

Aspire is training initiative of Kooheji Group, aiming to prepare a new generation of Bahraini talent. It combines practical training, career guidance, and field experience within a professional environment, enhancing the competitiveness of Bahrain’s labour market and equipping youth with the necessary skills to support the Kingdom’s sustainable development.

A U.S. aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer successfully evaded multiple unprovoked Iranian attacks. No American personnel were harmed.

Following Iran’s failed attacks, CENTCOM permanently disabled the IRGC crude oil carriers M/T Downy off the coast of Kharg Island and M/T Stark 1 near Jask. American forces also completely destroyed the unladen crude oil carrier M/T Kylo (also known as the “Noxen”) in the Gulf of Oman, striking the vessel in multiple critical locations to render it inoperable after the crew was directed to abandon ship.

The three Iranian crude oil tankers are part of a multibillion-dollar shadow network that funds the IRGC and its regional proxies. Iran has no means by which to defend them.

“Let the message to the IRGC be clear: If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost —taking out three of yours,” said Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander. “We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet.”

Fintech Forward 2026 will convene global fintech innovators, financial leaders, policymakers, and technology experts to explore the trends, technologies, and partnerships shaping the future of financial services. Hosted by the Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB) and supported by the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), Bahrain Tourism & Exhibition Authority (BTEA), and Bahrain Fintech Bay, the event will be programmed by Forbes Middle East. Taking place on 7-8 October at Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB), this year’s edition is held under the theme “Finance in the Age of Intelligent Infrastructure.”

A longstanding supporter of Fintech Forward, NBB’s continued sponsorship reflects its commitment to advancing innovation and supporting the growth of Bahrain’s financial services ecosystem. Now marking its fourth consecutive year supporting the event, NBB’s participation underscores both the strategic importance of the platform and Fintech Forward’s growing role as a forum for the industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers shaping the future of finance.

“We are proud to continue our partnership with Fintech Forward as a Diamond Sponsor. As financial services continue to evolve, the industry’s ability to translate innovation into meaningful economic impact has never been more important. Fintech Forward provides a valuable platform to drive collaboration, accelerate progress, and strengthen the foundations of the financial ecosystem. At NBB, we remain committed to supporting initiatives that contribute to Bahrain’s continued growth as a leading financial centre,” Usman Ahmed, Group Chief Executive Officer of NBB, said.

NBB’s participation in Fintech Forward reflects its broader commitment to innovation and shaping the future of banking. The bank continues to accelerate its digital transformation journey with a strong focus on customer-centricity, Artificial Intelligence, and operational excellence. Through strategic investments in technology and digital-first transformational initiatives, NBB is enhancing the banking ecosystem, elevating customer experiences, and driving greater digital adoption. These efforts are enabling the bank to deliver faster, simpler, more secure, and more personalized banking services for its customers.

These developments reflect the wider transformation taking place across the industry, a theme that will be explored throughout this year’s edition of Fintech Forward, as leaders gather to discuss technologies, partnerships, and infrastructure shaping the future of financial services.