Edited by Ching-Lun Kuo & Yuan-Ti Chang

Placing great emphasis on the creation of a sustainable environment and the enhancement of regional peace and stability, Bahrain, situated in the Persian Gulf, has enjoyed the fastest growing economy in the Arab world. Its prime minister's court especially invited Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, President of the Federation of World Peace and Love to visit Bahrain on May 30-June 1, 2017 to exchange ideas on how to implement the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Bahraini Cabinet Affairs Minister Mr. Al Mutawa received Dr. Hong and members of the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL) in Manama on May 31. Bahrain, boasting a tolerant, open, and culturally diverse society, is an island nation where people of different backgrounds coexist peacefully. Bahraini officials stated that the FOWPAL and the kingdom share the same goal: to promote regional and global security and stability. Mr. Al Mutawa said that Bahrain has adopted a policy that stresses the importance of peace and mutual understanding among nations and peoples and supports every international effort to direct human potential toward development and progress.

The FOWPAL, established in California, USA in 2000, is a nonprofit organization of peace with members from 95 nations. It has visited 72 countries, promoting love, peace, human rights, and sustainable development through activities such as conducting cultural exchanges, hosting ceremonies of ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love, and holding World Summits of Love and Peace, in which world leaders congregate and discuss ways to benefit the world. To date, 288 profoundly influential leaders, including 36 heads of state and government and 8 Nobel laureates, have rung the Bell and made commitments to love and peace.

As Bahrain has taken the lead to adopt policies that support the promotion of peace and love among nations and peoples, Dr. Hong stated that he is looking forward to greater cooperation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the FOWPAL to consolidate peace efforts across the world, and he lauded Bahraini Prime Minister Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa for his efforts in global peace, which have earned the prime minister many international awards. The United Nations Millennium Development Goals Award was given in 2010 in honor of his role in facilitating the attainment of global sustainable development goals. The African Union shield was awarded in 2012 for his role in fostering regional and international peace and security. The Avicenna Prize gold medal from UNESCO was awarded in 2009 for his efforts and achievements in promoting education. The Award of the Information and Communication Technology in sustainable development was given to him in acknowledgment of Bahrain’s openness, transparency, and willingness to work with the rest of the international community in information and communication technology to enhance the realization of the sustainable development goals.

The FOWPAL delegation also met with the president of the prime minister's court, president of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, and leaders of different religions to exchange ideas about the promotion of world peace and preservation of culture. During the Ramadan, the religious leaders invited the FOWPAL delegates to join an Iftar, where they experienced Bahrainis’ generosity, friendliness, and kindness. Meanwhile, the event also demonstrated the stability and harmony among the religious communities in Bahrain.

Furthermore, the delegation experienced the prosperity of Bahrain, while witnessing numerous construction projects in the deserts. Bahrain is known for its massive and challenging land reclamation with materials imported mainly from Saudi Arabia. The endeavors of Bahrain for creating a prosperous society are thus manifested all over the country.

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p.1 Bahrain, situated in the Persian Gulf, has enjoyed the fastest growing economy in the Arab world.
p.2 Representatives of the Bahrain Association for Religious Coexistence and Tolerance and the FOWPAL delegation exchange ideas about peace and love.