AGP Executive Report

GCC Energy Coordination: Bahrain’s Minister of Oil and Environment, Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Bin Dinah, chaired the 37th GCC Petroleum Cooperation Committee in Manama, urging closer GCC alignment on oil and energy policies, cleaner technologies, and a fair, balanced transition while reviewing emergency plans and European rules affecting the sector. Electricity & Water Security: Bahrain also hosted the 31st GCC electricity and water cooperation meeting, with ministers stressing GCC interconnection as a strategic pillar for resource sustainability and readiness for future challenges. World Habitat Day 2026: UN leaders marked World Habitat Day with a push for “adequate housing for all,” linking housing to dignity, poverty reduction, inequality tackling, and climate resilience. Sustainable Housing in the Gulf: Bahrain highlighted its evolving housing model at Urban October in Oman, while GCC housing initiatives continued to gain recognition, including Qatar Charity’s housing work honoured during Gulf Housing Week in Bahrain. Biodiversity + Clean Energy: Saudi Arabia’s first-of-its-kind “ReWildingVoltaics” project is using a solar park to breed threatened sand gazelles, aiming for a biodiversity “double-green dividend.” Aviation Emissions Move: Gulf Air’s Sepang fly-past in Malaysia included a sustainability angle via a Sustainable Aviation Fuel book-and-claim purchase. Industrial Sustainability Forum: Safa (Mumtalakat portfolio) will host a session on industrial sustainability at the Made in GCC Forum and Expo 2026, focusing on turning environmental goals into investable projects.

GCC Energy & Water Security: Bahrain hosted the 31st GCC electricity and water cooperation meeting, with ministers stressing stronger interconnection, clearer energy exchange frameworks in emergencies, and sustainable resource security. Oil, Environment & Transition: The 37th GCC Petroleum Cooperation Committee meeting in Bahrain also focused on energy security and the transition to cleaner technologies, balancing growth with environmental priorities. Urban Greening Push: A new proposal would require rooftop gardens on buildings of 10 storeys or more, aiming to add greenery without taking extra land in Bahrain’s dense urban areas. Green Walkways & Housing Day: Ahead of World Habitat Day, Bahrain highlighted completion of 20+ walkways and ongoing afforestation targets to boost trees by 2035. Heritage & Land-Use: Old Muharraq’s historic zone is set for investment-led revival, with plans to relocate garages and vehicle repair workshops to protect the district’s tourism and architectural character. CSR With a Sustainability Angle: Applications are open for the Indian Ladies Association’s CSR Excellence Awards, including a category for sustainable environment initiatives. Marine Life Warning (Regional): Oman fined and jailed tourists for disturbing nesting sea turtles at Ras Al Hadd, underscoring stricter enforcement against wildlife harassment. Aviation Emissions Note: Gulf Air’s first-ever F1 fly-past outside Bahrain in Malaysia said it used a Sustainable Aviation Fuel “book-and-claim” approach to cut emissions.

Urban Greening Push: Bahrain could add more greenery fast, with a proposal to require rooftop gardens on buildings of 10 storeys or more, turning unused rooftops into shared green spaces. Walkways & Housing Day Focus: Ahead of World Habitat Day, Bahrain’s Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry highlighted completion of 20+ walkways and more neighbourhood parks, linking urban infrastructure to greener, healthier communities. Mangrove Protection: Researchers are urging stronger monitoring of microplastics in Bahrain’s mangroves, warning that even low-to-moderate risk levels still threaten long-term coastal health. Industrial Sustainability Forum: Safa, backed by Mumtalakat, will host a GCC-wide session on industrial sustainability at the Made in GCC Forum and Expo 2026, aiming to move environmental goals into investable manufacturing projects. Marine Threats from Conflict: A new study warns Iran-linked attacks and oil spills in the Persian Gulf are compounding climate and pollution pressures, damaging coral, mangroves and seagrass and undermining fisheries and ecotourism. Regional Trade Rules: Saudi Arabia is tightening fruit and vegetable import procedures, requiring permits before shipments and stricter pesticide and quarantine compliance. Sea Turtle Case: Oman fined and jailed two tourists for disturbing nesting turtles at Ras Al Hadd after footage sparked outrage.

Marine Protection Under Threat: A new study warns that Iran’s attacks on oil and energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf are compounding climate change and coastal development pressures, with oil spills and military damage putting coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds and marine life at risk and threatening fisheries, aquaculture, desalination and ecotourism. Bahrain’s Coastal Green Plan: A proposal would plant a mangrove belt behind Bahrain International Airport to protect the coast, create fish and bird breeding grounds, filter pollutants and slow erosion. Microplastics Watch: Researchers call for stronger monitoring of microplastics in Bahrain’s mangroves after finding widespread contamination in mangrove sediments, urging targeted management to safeguard long-term ecosystem health. Urban Heat Solutions: A local piece highlights how Bahrain can expand urban green infrastructure—parks, green roofs and native vegetation—to cut urban heat island effects and ease peak electricity demand. Food Waste Education: Students in Bahrain tackled food loss and waste in a quiz, linking waste reduction to lower emissions, better food security and sustainable development. Public Health & Smoking: A council-backed idea would install outdoor negative-pressure smoking booths in busy public areas to reduce second-hand smoke exposure. F1 and Weather Reality Check: Sepang’s wet chaos and car software failures dominated Bahrain Grand Prix coverage, with the FIA facing scrutiny over wet-performance readiness.

Mangroves Under Pressure: Bahrain researchers are urging stronger monitoring of microplastics after a new study found microplastics across the island’s mangrove sediments, raising concerns for long-term ecological health. Coastal Green Plan: Muharraq officials have proposed a mangrove belt behind Bahrain International Airport to protect the coast, boost fish and bird breeding, filter pollutants, and slow erosion. Urban Heat Fix: A local piece highlights how Bahrain’s rising urban temperatures worsen energy demand and infrastructure wear, arguing for more green infrastructure like parks, green roofs, and native vegetation to cut heat and cooling loads. Food Waste Awareness: Students at Arabian Gulf University ran an interactive quiz on food loss and waste, linking the issue to resource conservation, emissions reduction, and food security. Green School Tech: A Bahrain school project uses an AI system to collect condensed water from air-conditioning for irrigation, alongside waste sorting and composting. Public Health in Focus: Bahrain’s municipal council is backing outdoor smoking booths to reduce second-hand smoke in busy public areas. F1 Weather & Heat Hazard: The Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia faced heavy rain and delays at Sepang, while FIA heat-hazard rules and cooling-vest debate underline how extreme conditions are shaping race safety.

Urban Heat & Greening: Bahrain is pushing a bigger urban green footprint to cool cities, cut peak power demand and ease heat stress on roads and buildings, with the National Afforestation Plan highlighted as a key response. Coastal Nature Protection: A mangrove belt behind Bahrain International Airport is being proposed to protect the coast, create fish and bird breeding grounds, filter pollutants and slow erosion. Food Waste Awareness: Students at Arabian Gulf University tackled food loss and waste in a quiz, linking the issue to resource conservation, emissions cuts and stronger food security. School Sustainability with AI: A Bahraini school project uses an AI system to capture condensed water from air-conditioning for irrigation, alongside waste sorting and composting. Housing Demand Shift: Capital Governorate discussions show soaring apartment demand and calls to consider new housing models, including buying unused properties and building upwards. Public Health & Smoke Control: Southern Municipal Council is exploring outdoor negative-pressure smoking booths in busy public areas to reduce second-hand smoke exposure. F1 Heat Hazard Watch: Bahrain’s Grand Prix in Malaysia is under a heat-hazard spotlight, with cooling-vest rules and track conditions drawing attention as the event is relocated due to regional conflict. GCC Housing Cooperation: Kuwait’s housing authority showcased smart-city and integrated community planning at Gulf Housing Week in Bahrain.

Coastal Nature Protection: A proposal from Muharraq Municipal Council member Mohammed Al Moqahwi would plant a mangrove belt in the lagoon behind Bahrain International Airport (between Qalali and Hidd) to boost fish and bird breeding, filter pollutants, capture carbon dioxide, and slow coastal erosion. Wildlife Crime Probe: MPs are widening an investigation into small turtles allegedly sold as food in Bahrain after they found no records of legal import, raising fears protected species are being sourced through an illicit network. Sustainability Capacity-Building: Bahrain’s new Istidama Centre in Manama was inaugurated as a hub for sustainability awareness, training, and carbon-neutrality capacity-building, backed by public-private partnerships. Public Health: A study reports Bahrain’s chickenpox cases fell by nearly 89% since routine vaccination began in 2015, with severe cases rare and mainly among unvaccinated people. Heat & Environment in Sport: The FIA has classified the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia as a heat hazard, with teams required to use driver cooling systems as temperatures and humidity rise.

Bahrain’s sustainability push: Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa inaugurated the Istidama Centre in Manama, a new hub for sustainability, green economy and carbon neutrality training, with Bahrain aiming for carbon neutrality by 2060. Urban planning for the future: UPDA signed a contract with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill to develop Bahrain’s National Strategic Structure Plan 2050, updating the 2030 framework with integrated, sustainable land-use planning. Wildlife protection probe: MPs are widening an investigation into turtles allegedly sold as food after no legal import records were found, raising fears protected species are entering markets via illicit channels. Heat and health concerns: Bahrain’s Grand Prix weekend in Malaysia is officially a heat-hazard event, while health experts warn childhood obesity is rising, urging tougher rules on marketing unhealthy foods and clearer labels. Regional finance coordination: Bahrain hosted the 126th GCC Financial and Economic Co-operation Committee meeting, with ministers stressing resilience amid regional shocks and the need for closer GCC integration. Clean-up drive: The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain marked World Cleanup Day at Budaiya Farmers Market, collecting waste and promoting public environmental stewardship.

Sustainability & Climate Action: Bahrain’s Istidama Centre was inaugurated in Manama as a hub for sustainability training and carbon-neutrality know-how, with officials stressing efficient resource use and public-private partnerships. Urban Planning: UPDA signed with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill to develop Bahrain’s National Strategic Structure Plan 2050, updating the 2030 framework with an integrated, sustainable land-use vision. Wildlife Protection: MPs are widening a probe into small turtles allegedly sold as food after no legal import records were found, raising fears of illegal capture or unlicensed breeding. Community Environment: The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain marked World Cleanup Day at Budaiya Farmers Market, with staff collecting waste and promoting public-space protection. Heat & Health: Bahrain’s Grand Prix in Malaysia is officially a FIA heat-hazard event, with teams required to use driver cooling systems as temperatures climb. Regional Finance: Bahrain hosted the 126th GCC Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee meeting, with leaders citing resilience amid Strait of Hormuz shipping pressures.

Environmental enforcement: Bahrain’s Ministerial Committee for Development Projects and Infrastructure backed the launch of a new Environmental and Public Health Crimes Unit to strengthen enforcement of environmental protection and public health standards, alongside plans to modernise wastewater systems and improve road safety. Community cleanup: The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain marked World Cleanup Day with a green waste drive at Budaiya Farmers Market, partnering with the Ministry of Agriculture to remove litter and boost public awareness. GCC housing push: GCC housing ministers met in Bahrain, with Bahrain highlighting digital housing finance and approved a guide for GCC-wide digital housing finance platforms, while Qatar and Saudi Arabia stressed sustainability and stronger integration of housing policies across the region. AI governance in finance: Al Salam Bank announced ISO/IEC 42001:2023 certification for its AI management system, aiming to govern AI risks and responsibilities as it moves toward an AI-powered banking model. Air quality risk for Bahrain GP: With the Bahrain Grand Prix relocated to Malaysia’s Sepang, coverage flags wildfire smoke and extreme weather affecting air quality and race conditions, including heat hazard warnings.

GCC Housing Cooperation: Bahrain hosted the 24th GCC Committee of Ministers Responsible for Housing Affairs, with Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait pushing deeper integration, digital housing services and sustainability standards across the region. Social Housing Delivery in Bahrain: Bahrain unveiled a major push under its social housing programme, including a contract to develop more than 2,500 homes in Khalifa City with green/open spaces and supporting infrastructure, alongside an Innovation Conference and Exhibition running to Oct 3. Digital Transformation for Jobs & SMEs: Tamkeen launched an enhanced “Digital Enablement and AI Program” supporting micro, small and medium enterprises with up to 50% of eligible software costs, while reporting thousands of employment and enterprise opportunities backed through Musanada. Environmental Enforcement & Infrastructure: Bahrain’s development projects committee welcomed a new Environmental and Public Health Crimes Unit and reviewed plans for wastewater upgrades, road safety improvements, and sustainable used cooking oil management. F1 & Air Quality Risk: With the Bahrain Grand Prix renamed and held in Malaysia, organizers warn of heat hazards and highlight wildfire smoke and extreme weather affecting the Sepang weekend.

Tamkeen & Jobs: Tamkeen’s board, chaired by Shaikh Isa bin Salman, says its Musanada and other programmes have backed thousands of Bahraini jobs and enterprise growth, while Labour Rules: LMRA and the Bahrain Chamber reviewed Decision No. (2) of 2026 and rolled out an enhanced Self-Assessment Tool to help employers manage foreign-worker compliance more smoothly. Digital Transformation for SMEs: Tamkeen also launched an enhanced “Digital Enablement and AI Program,” covering up to 50% of eligible software costs to boost productivity and competitiveness for micro, small and medium enterprises. Social Housing Push: Bahrain unveiled a major new chapter in social housing, with a contract to develop 2,500+ homes in Khalifa City, including large green/open spaces, as the Innovation in Social Housing conference runs until Oct 3. GCC Housing Cooperation: GCC housing ministers approved a guide for digital housing finance platforms, with Bahrain hosting the meeting alongside the summit. Marine Monitoring Partnership: Xylem and Ecocoast expanded GCC marine and coastal monitoring by integrating Xylem sensing into Ecocoast buoy platforms for real-time alerts. Regional Security & Trade: Trump claimed the US has “virtually total control” of the Strait of Hormuz as Iran links sustainable Gulf security to regional responsibility.

Marine Monitoring Upgrade: Ecocoast has been appointed Xylem’s authorised systems and service partner across the GCC, integrating Xylem YSI and Aanderaa sensing into Ecocoast marine monitoring buoys for continuous, real-time water and coastal data—aimed at faster detection of oil spills and other emergencies in Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar. Food Waste Fight: Bahrain Food Bank reports more than 3 million meals saved and distributed since 2014, tackling a national problem where about 400 tonnes of food are wasted daily and food can make up roughly half of landfill waste. Electricity Bills Pressure: Lawmakers are pushing to scrap Bahrain’s fourth residential electricity tier for citizens in their first homes, arguing families shouldn’t face steep jumps above 7,000 kWh. Local Service Efficiency: Bahrain’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce streamlined commercial registration (CR) ownership transfers on Sijilat, cutting steps and approvals to make the process faster for businesses. Housing Cooperation: Bahrain’s Deputy Prime Minister met GCC housing officials at the Social Housing Sector Innovation Summit, highlighting shared work on sustainable housing communities.

Marine Monitoring: Ecocoast has been appointed by Xylem as its authorised systems and service partner for the GCC, integrating Xylem YSI and Aanderaa sensing into Ecocoast’s data buoy platforms for continuous real-time coastal and marine monitoring across Bahrain, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar. Water & Wastewater: Bluewater Bio won a contract to upgrade and expand MODON’s Jeddah 1st Industrial City wastewater treatment plant, boosting capacity and improving tertiary treatment for reuse. Environmental Enforcement: Bahrain’s Attorney General set up a new Environmental and Public Health Crimes Unit to investigate offences affecting wildlife, marine life, beaches/coastlines, and water and sewage, with prosecutors appointed to lead it. Food Waste Fight: Bahrain Food Bank says it has saved and distributed over three million meals since 2014, as the country grapples with hundreds of tonnes of food waste daily. Energy Bills Debate: Lawmakers urged scrapping the fourth residential electricity tier for Bahraini families in first homes to prevent steep bill jumps. Business Services: Bahrain streamlined commercial registration (CR) ownership transfers via Sijilat, cutting steps and approvals.

Environmental Enforcement: Bahrain’s Attorney General set up an Environmental and Public Health Crimes Unit to investigate offences tied to natural resources, wildlife, marine life, beaches/coastlines, groundwater/surface water, sewage and public cleanliness, with prosecutors appointed to lead and report on cases. Energy & Water Security: Bahrain’s Crown Prince visited Bapco refinery, stressing efficiency, sustainability, and security of oil facilities amid regional pressures, while Bahrain also received an invitation to the UN Water Conference 2026 hosted by the UAE. GCC Power/Water Cooperation: Qatar joined GCC electricity and water undersecretaries talks ahead of a ministerial meeting in Bahrain, reviewing water interconnection projects and conservation and renewables progress. Food & Farming Inputs: Bahraini farmers can apply for subsidised urea fertiliser via a partnership involving the agriculture ministry, GPIC and NIAD, with registration open until Oct 8. Tourism & Sustainability Tech: World Tourism Day coverage highlights digital agendas and AI to redesign tourism, alongside Bahrain-linked regional moves toward tourism digitalisation and sustainability. Private Sector Mobilisation: Bahrain Chamber approved new sectoral committee chairs, including roles spanning technology/AI, sustainable energy, hospitality and transport.

Environmental Crime Crackdown: Bahrain’s Attorney General set up an Environmental and Public Health Crimes Unit to investigate offences tied to natural resources, wildlife, marine life, beaches/coastlines, groundwater and surface water, sewage and public cleanliness, with prosecutors appointed to lead the work. Fertiliser Support for Farmers: Registration opened for Bahraini farmers to apply for subsidised urea fertiliser via a partnership involving the Agriculture Ministry, GPIC and NIAD, with 25 tonnes (500 bags) available until Oct 8. Tourism Goes Digital: On World Tourism Day, Bahrain said it’s pushing digital transformation and AI to improve visitor experiences, access to services and interactive platforms under its tourism strategy. Bahrain-EU/GCC Dialogue: Bahrain’s foreign minister joined talks on strengthening GCC–EU ties, focusing on energy security, digital transformation, innovation and sustainable development. Energy Sector Focus: Crown Prince Salman visited Bapco refinery, praising workforce efforts and modernisation aimed at efficiency, sustainability and energy supply continuity. UN Crime Congress Blueprint: The UAE hosted a UN blueprint adopted by 119 countries to tackle cybercrime and “crime as a service,” including justice digitalisation and AI safeguards. Water Conference Invite: King Hamad received an invitation to the UN Water Conference 2026 in the UAE, highlighting collective action on water access.