Industry, Logistics & Shipping

Collaboration key for energy transition: Bahrain minister

Collaboration, investment, and decisive action are crucial to accelerate the energy transition and achieve the decarbonisation goals of the MENA region, Dr Mohamed bin Mubarak Bin Daina, Bahrain’s Minister of Oil and Environment and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, said.
 
Participating in the third edition of Sustainability Forum Middle East, which opened on Tuesday, he emphasised Bahrain's commitment to supporting initiatives that promote national partnerships and international cooperation across various areas of sustainable development. 
 
More than 400 business leaders, policymakers, and sustainability experts, are gathered at the forum to discuss the strategies for aligning business models with climate action, scaling climate finance, advancing policy and regulatory frameworks, fostering innovation, and accelerating technological advancements. The two-day forum is supported by the Supreme Council for Environment.
 
 Dr Daina also stressed the need to continue efforts to enhance cooperation, coordination, and knowledge exchange between countries and organisations to combat climate change, adapt to its impacts, and mitigate its causes. 
 
He reaffirmed Bahrain's commitment to international climate and sustainability agreements, wishing for the forum’s success and impactful recommendations.
 
The forum featured a day of engaging discussions, bringing together 50+ leading speakers from across MENA, Europe, the UK, US, Brazil and beyond. Experts covered a range of topics essential to achieving regional net-zero ambition.
 
On Wednesday (January 29), the forum is hosting a series of expert-led workshops, delivered by leading global management consultancies and specialist regional ESG and sustainability advisory firms. These sessions will provide participants with the tools and expertise needed to develop effective sustainability strategies, enhance climate-related financial disclosures, and advance decarbonisation initiatives. – TradeArabia News Service 
 

Industry, Logistics & Shipping

American School of Bahrain gets key AI endorsement from US body

American School of Bahrain (ASB) has announced that it has become one of the first 10 schools worldwide, and notably the first in GCC, to receive the Responsible AI in Learning (RAIL) endorsement from the Middle States Association, a leading US accreditation body for colleges and schools. 
 
This endorsement recognizes the school’s leadership in implementing AI literacy and ethics across its educational programmes, ensuring that students and staff are equipped to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence with responsibility and foresight, said ASB in a statement.
 
ASB is taking a whole-school approach to AI literacy, safety, and ethics across all grade levels, ensuring that students, staff, and the broader community are equipped with the knowledge to use AI tools responsibly and effectively. 
 
Dave McMaster, the Director of the American School of Bahrain, emphasising the significance of this milestone, said: "Aligned with MSA's vision, our goal is not merely to adapt AI tools to perform everyday tasks, as we did two decades ago. Rather, we see AI as a transformative force, capable of reshaping the very nature of learning."
 
"We aim to integrate AI not as a superficial addition to traditional practices, but as a means to unlock new possibilities and create exceptional learning experiences. Through RAIL, we aspire to use AI as a catalyst for inspiring creativity, deepening understanding, and preparing our students and staff for the future," he stated.
 
ASB said its participation in the RAIL initiative is rooted in the school’s drive to stay at the forefront of emerging technologies. 
 
The RAIL endorsement involved meeting rigorous benchmarks, including the development of updated policies, procedures, and a comprehensive change plan to enhance AI literacy, it stated. 
 
The school has implemented these policies across all grade levels, from elementary to high school, ensuring that AI is introduced in a way that is age-appropriate and ethically sound. From creating podcasts in elementary classes to utilizing AI in written assessments for older students, ASB is embedding AI as a key learning tool in a responsible manner, it added.
 
Hiba Oker, American School of Bahrain’s Technology Integration Coordinator, pointed out that this endorsement represented a tangible commitment to the future of its students.
 
"Our AI education ensures that children from as early as Grade 3 are equipped with the skills and knowledge to navigate this evolving landscape. From integrating AI into creative classroom projects like podcast creation to utilizing AI for advanced assessments, students will learn to engage with this powerful technology responsibly and meaningfully," noted Oker.
 
Throughout the school, teachers integrate supervised AI tools into lessons, helping students explore AI’s capabilities while understanding its ethical implications. 
 
Moreover, ASB’s policies ensure that teachers and staff maintain high standards of AI usage, and ongoing training helps educators stay up-to-date with the latest AI tools, said the statement.
 
The RAIL initiative aligns with ASB’s mission of innovation and community leadership, thus reinforcing its status as a trailblazer in AI education within the GCC and beyond, it added.-TradeArabia News Service

Industry, Logistics & Shipping

Deal signed to enhance Khalifa Bin Salman Port facilities

Bahrain's Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications and APM Terminals, the operator of Khalifa Bin Salman Port, have signed a letter of intent to further enhance the port facilities and develop national talent.
 
Dr Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, highlighted the importance of collaborating with APM Terminals and the importance of integrating advanced technologies and innovative solutions to enhance operational capacity and environmental sustainability. These efforts contribute to long-term economic growth, a Bahrain News Agency (BNA) report said.
 
He emphasised Bahrain’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with global companies to develop the transport, ports, and maritime sectors. He highlighted efforts to improve infrastructure quality, further developing Bahrain’s position as a regional logistics hub, and support sustainable development in line with Economic Vision 2030.
 
Jonathan Goldner, APM Terminals' regional Chief Executive for Asia and the Middle East, highlighted the company’s commitment to expanding its strategic partnership with Bahrain. He emphasised efforts to enhance port capacity, provide advanced logistics services, and develop human capital to support environmental and sustainable development goals.