AGP Executive Report

Bahrain’s Waste Reality Check: New government figures show municipal waste is still mostly landfilled: over four-fifths buried in 2024, while recycling fell by nearly a third (from 353,600 tonnes to 254,400), pushing recycling’s share down to around 18%. Food Safety Upgrade: Bahrain’s Ministry of Health cut processing time for Safe Disposal Certificates for damaged or expired food from 10 working days to just 3, moving to fully electronic applications to better protect public health. Sustainable Waste Talk: A lecture in Bahrain focused on sustainable waste management, stressing community roles in cutting waste and boosting recycling, alongside stronger municipal coordination. Seef Mall Revamp: Seef Properties signed a deal with Mohammed Jalal Contracting for main construction works in the Seef Mall–Seef District redevelopment, aiming to modernise the destination with new dining and expanded spaces. Muharraq Goes Digital: Muharraq Municipality and Batelco agreed to operate and invest in 10 electronic advertising screen sites along Muharraq Ring Road as part of a smart-city push. Regional Energy & Environment Angle: Bahrain was among many countries backing a joint statement condemning a May 17 drone attack on electrical infrastructure outside the Barakah Nuclear Plant, warning of potential transboundary environmental and health risks. Local Security & Public Life: Bahrain sentenced 12 people to 10 years over alleged support for Iran-linked attacks, including cases tied to sharing sensitive images and online content during heightened regional tensions.

Strait of Hormuz Update: The GCC welcomed a US-Iran memorandum of understanding aimed at easing the crisis, including a 60-day ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz on a toll-free basis—an outcome that could quickly shift energy and shipping conditions across the region. Bahrain Waste & Recycling: Bahrain’s municipal waste picture is worsening: more than four-fifths of collected waste was landfilled in 2024, while recycling fell to about 18% after dropping nearly a third. Food Safety Disposal: Bahrain’s Ministry of Health streamlined Safe Disposal Certificates for damaged or expired food, cutting processing time from 10 working days to three and moving to fully electronic applications. Religious Recycling Pilot: A pilot will add three colour-coded recycling bins at Bahrain’s registered places of worship ahead of Ashoora, with plastic collection mandatory and other bins based on material needs. Digital Municipal Services: Muharraq Municipality and Batelco will install and invest in 10 digital advertising screen sites along Muharraq Ring Road for a more modern, tech-driven public advertising setup. Local Development: Seef Properties awarded main construction works for the Seef Mall redevelopment to Mohammed Jalal Contracting, targeting new dining and expanded entertainment spaces.

Recycling Push in Worship Sites: Bahrain is set to roll out colour-coded recycling bins to registered places of worship this week, starting as an Ashoora pilot. The plan targets plastic collection as mandatory, with other bins for glass, paper or metal based on site needs, and aims to make segregation a year-round habit. Heat-Safety Rules for Workers: A midday work ban begins Monday, stopping outdoor work under direct sun from 12:00pm to 4:00pm until Aug. 31, with a hotline for violations. Digital Cut to Reduce Waste: A World Environment Day-linked “digital decluttering” drive helped Bahrain residents delete 15,685GB of unwanted data, estimated to prevent about 3.13 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. Circular Economy Angle: A pilot recycling project will start at places of worship, reinforcing the wider cleanliness drive. Local Education for Skills: RHF, NCST and Kooheji Foundation signed an agreement to fund a new NCST branch in Muharraq focused on vocational training, including hospitality and hotel management. Finance & Innovation: Startup Bahrain–UoB competition closed with Finance Minister Shaikh Salman highlighting entrepreneurship as a national priority.

Digital Environment Action: A World Environment Day “digital decluttering” drive helped 174 people in Bahrain delete 15,685GB of unwanted data, with organisers estimating about 3.13 tonnes of CO₂ emissions avoided each year. Public Health & Waste Safety: Bahrain’s Ministry of Health launched a digital Safe Disposal Certificate service for damaged food products, cutting processing time from 10 working days to three and reducing approvals. Heat Protection at Work: Bahrain’s annual midday outdoor work ban starts Monday (12:00pm–4:00pm) until August 31, with a hotline for violations and an awareness campaign for employers. Sustainable Materials: Aluminum recycling is gaining urgency as war-related supply disruptions tighten primary aluminum availability, pushing industry toward scrap and recycled metal. Local Tech & Municipal Services: Muharraq Municipality signed a five-year deal with Batelco to operate 10 electronic advertising screen locations along Muharraq Ring Road, aiming to boost digital transformation and sustainability. Education & Skills: RHF, NCST and Kooheji Foundation agreed to fund and equip a new NCST branch in Muharraq focused on vocational training, including hospitality and hotel management.

World Environment Day, digital waste: Bahrain marked June 5 with a 10-day digital decluttering push by Project Rise and Let’s Do It World, helping 174 people across seven cities delete 15,685GB from phones and devices; organisers say the freed storage could prevent about 3.13 tonnes of CO₂ emissions yearly. Heat protection at work: Bahrain’s midday outdoor work ban starts Monday (June 15) and runs to Aug 31, stopping employers from requiring work in direct sun from 12:00pm to 4:00pm to reduce heat stress and accidents. E-waste education: The Supreme Council for Environment, with the Education Ministry and Zain Bahrain, wrapped up the 5th E-Waste Competition, with 18 secondary schools promoting safe, sustainable electronics recycling. Coastal livelihoods idea: MPs backed a proposal to let selected seafront hotels and resorts allocate space for Bahraini fishermen, aiming to restore access lost to coastal development while boosting tourism. Skills for sustainability: RHF and NCST signed to open a new NCST branch in Muharraq (Bahrain International Investment Park), adding vocational training including hospitality and hotel management.

E-Waste Push in Schools: Bahrain’s Supreme Council for Environment wrapped up its 5th E-Waste Competition with 18 secondary schools, urging safer collection and disposal to build recycling habits. Waste & Composting Focus: A Northern Municipal Council seminar for World Environment Day highlighted Bahrain’s daily household waste and pointed to composting as the most sustainable option, with recycling next. Coastal Fishing Access Proposal: Parliament backs a plan to let Bahraini fishermen use space at selected seafront hotels and resorts, aiming to restore lost launching and fishing areas while boosting tourism. SME Support for Resilience: Bahrain Chamber and Tamkeen promoted the Musanada program to help affected businesses through grants, operational support and financing subsidies. Skills & Jobs Pipeline: NCST is expanding in Bahrain International Investment Park with new hospitality and hotel management training, plus broader vocational programmes. Aviation Growth (Sustainability Angle): Bahrain showcased its aviation strategy in Berlin, including digitised services and a major DHL MRO hangar plan to strengthen connectivity and logistics. Regional Tensions: Iraq’s foreign ministry condemned attacks involving Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait, warning of wider instability.

Aviation & logistics push: Bahrain’s Transport minister highlighted digitised aviation services and a National Aviation Strategy aimed at faster procedures and greener competitiveness, including a DHL deal for a major MRO hangar at Bahrain International Airport and cooperation with AirAsia. Coastal livelihoods meet tourism: A new proposal backed by MPs and the Capital Trustees Board would let selected seafront hotels open space for Bahraini fishermen, restoring access to launching points while offering visitors authentic maritime experiences. Circular economy under pressure: Tight aluminium supply from regional disruptions is driving faster adoption of recycled aluminium, with industry noting scrap can cut energy use and emissions sharply—turning recycling from “green” into supply security. Waste & youth action: The Supreme Council for Environment wrapped up its fifth E-waste Competition with 18 secondary schools, pushing safe collection and disposal habits. Sustainable cities focus: A World Environment Day seminar urged composting and recycling as Bahrain’s most practical path for cutting household waste, including food waste. Local business support: Bahrain Chamber and Tamkeen rolled out the Musanada Program to help SMEs hit by regional circumstances stay operating. Education pipeline: The Education Ministry signed an MoU with RCSI-Medical University of Bahrain to prepare students for healthcare studies through workshops and guidance.

E-waste push in Bahrain: The Supreme Council for Environment wrapped up its fifth E-Waste Competition with 18 secondary schools, urging safer, more responsible collection and disposal of electronics, with Zain Bahrain and the Education Ministry backing the drive. Sustainable cities, practical fixes: A World Environment Day seminar by the Northern Municipal Council highlighted Bahrain’s waste challenge (about 1,600 tonnes of household waste daily, including 400 tonnes of food waste) and pointed to composting as the most sustainable option, with recycling next. SME support for tough times: Bahrain Chamber and Tamkeen rolled out details of the Musanada Program, offering grants, operational support and financing subsidies to help small businesses keep going amid regional disruption. Community housing help: The Royal Humanitarian Foundation signed a cooperation agreement with GFH Foundation to support the “Reassured Homes” initiative for widows, orphans and underprivileged families across Bahrain. Education pathway for future medics: Bahrain’s Ministry of Education signed an MoU with RCSI Medical University of Bahrain to prepare secondary students for healthcare studies through workshops, guidance and ethics-focused programmes. Regional environment angle: Experts also stressed that stronger public awareness and long-term waste management planning are key to building sustainable cities in Bahrain.

E-Waste Push: Bahrain’s Supreme Council for Environment wrapped up the fifth E-Waste Competition with 18 secondary schools, urging safer, responsible collection and disposal of electronics in partnership with the Education Ministry and Zain Bahrain. Waste & Cities: A Northern Municipal Council seminar marked World Environment Day with experts calling composting and recycling “vital” for sustainable cities, citing Bahrain’s daily household waste and the high cost of food waste. Health Digitalisation: Bahrain’s Ministry of Health upgraded its electronic healthcare authorization service, cutting processing from 10 working days to an immediate automated step and reducing approval steps by at least 25%. Community Support: The Royal Humanitarian Foundation signed a cooperation agreement with GFH Foundation to back the “Reassured Homes” initiative for widows, orphans and underprivileged families across Bahrain. Regional Context: With Gulf tensions in the spotlight, Bahrain’s Parliament Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam urged a unified Arab stance and coordination to confront shared regional challenges.

Strait of Hormuz Shock: The US and Iran traded strikes for a second day, with Trump warning the US would hit Iran “VERY HARD TONIGHT” and threaten “total control” of oil and gas assets including Kharg Island; Iran retaliated by targeting US-linked bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan and announced the Strait of Hormuz is closed to all shipping, raising fears for regional supply chains and energy security. Bahrain in the Crosshairs: Reports say Iran’s actions included strikes affecting the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, while Bahrain issued alerts then later gave an all-clear as the situation shifted. Aviation Disruption Watch: Gulf air cargo and flight operations remain fragile; DHL said Bahrain is restored but constraints and rising costs persist, and AirAsia X postponed its planned Bahrain route to at least August/September due to the conflict. Local Digital Services: Bahrain’s Ministry of Health upgraded its electronic healthcare authorization service, cutting processing from 10 working days to immediate automated approvals and reducing steps and required approvals. Aviation Emissions Data: Gulf Air joined IATA’s CO2 Connect platform to improve passenger CO2 calculations using real operational data, reinforcing environmental accountability in the sector. Rights Under Strain: Human Rights Watch and Amnesty said GCC governments tightened restrictions on expression and assembly, worsening conditions for migrant workers during the conflict.

Gulf Security and Environment: The US renewed strikes on Iran for a second straight day, with CENTCOM saying it hit Iranian surveillance, communications and air-defense sites after Trump vowed to “hit them hard,” while Iran retaliated by targeting US bases across the Gulf and warned it would target any vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz—raising fresh risks for Bahrain’s maritime routes, air quality from conflict impacts, and energy-linked pollution pressures. Bahrain in GCC diplomacy: Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister reiterated support for deeper GCC integration and condemned renewed Iranian aggression, calling for protection of civilians and vital infrastructure as GCC foreign ministers met with Canada to coordinate on security and stability. Aviation emissions data: Gulf Air joined IATA’s CO2 Connect platform, using operational data to improve passenger CO2 calculations, as the airline pushes more transparent sustainability reporting. Heat safety at work: GCC “midday sun” rules are set to return across the region, reminding employers in Bahrain to plan outdoor work to reduce heat stress and related accidents. Local capacity building: Bahrain’s Judicial and Legal Studies Institute graduated its fifth cohort of legal practice trainees, strengthening local expertise for international-facing legal work.

Middle East Security & Environment: Trump said the U.S. will “hit” Iran again today after renewed strikes, as Iran launched missiles and drones targeting U.S. bases in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain following the downing of an Apache near the Strait of Hormuz—raising fresh risks for regional stability and the flow of goods and fuel. Water & Public Health Risk: Reports say U.S. strikes hit water reservoirs in Iran’s Sirik county, cutting drinking water for thousands, while Iran warns diplomacy can’t proceed without a stable environment. Maritime Safety: A tanker fire off Oman left one dead and two crew missing; no environmental damage was reported. Climate Watch: May 2026 was the world’s second-warmest May on record, with NOAA and NASA/ Copernicus data pointing to continued heat stress. Bahrain Local Environment & Recreation: Bahrain’s Dair and Samaheej coastline waterfront and beach development is moving toward private investor offers, with phased upgrades to expand public recreation. Sports Inclusion: Bahrain’s first National Paralympic Athletics Championship is set to run for two days, boosting access to sport for athletes with disabilities.

Coastal Development Watch: Bahrain’s Muharraq Municipal Council is pushing ahead with a major waterfront and beach project along the Dair and Samaheej coastline, with the Ministry saying the plan will be offered to private investors this month and delivered in phases—starting with the 2km Sama Bay area near Dry Dock Highway, featuring two beaches, a promenade, sports facilities and food retail. Air Safety & Civil Defence: Bahrain sounded air raid sirens again after Iran launched strikes tied to US actions in the region; reports say most drones were intercepted, while Bahrain urged residents to seek shelter. Regional Security Fallout: Iran’s IRGC claimed it hit 21 US-linked targets across the Gulf, including the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, as the US said it began “self-defence” strikes against Iran. Smart Transport: Bahrain’s land transport push continues with inspections of public transport projects, including Sitra’s planned digital bus station, part of a wider plan to connect bus services with a future metro network. Waste & Recycling Sector: The Southern Municipality extended the scrap yard relocation deadline for businesses at Al Mazra’a to July 31, moving operations to the prepared Hafeera site to improve safety and organisation.

Smart Transport Upgrade: Bahrain’s Land Transport and Post undersecretary inspected public transport projects, including the Sitra bus station backed by stc Bahrain, set to become the kingdom’s first fully digital bus station as part of a wider bus-to-metro integrated network aimed at cutting congestion and emissions. Waste & Safety Management: The Southern Municipality extended the scrap yard relocation deadline for businesses in Al Mazra’a to July 31, 2026, moving operations to the prepared Hafeera site to improve safety, organise activities, and support longer-term sustainability. Sustainability Finance: KFH–B reaffirmed its sustainability push, highlighting environmental initiatives and support for net-zero energy neutrality by 2060, alongside energy-efficient and digital steps to reduce resource use. Renewables in the Region: A new Arab Energy Organisation report says renewable capacity across AEO member states rose about 36% in 2025 to 39.2 GW, with solar making up over 72%—Bahrain adding a smaller 0.05 GW. Local Youth & Skills: stc Bahrain launched the 13th inspireU intake to back Bahraini start-ups, while Bahrain’s LMRA reported 4,003 labour inspections in May, detaining 129 violators and deporting 324 after legal procedures.

Climate Awareness in Bahrain: The Supreme Council for Environment held a virtual World Environment Day lecture, “Climate Change in the Kingdom of Bahrain,” drawing about 50 participants to discuss greenhouse gas sources, national initiatives, and why public awareness and coordinated action matter. Sustainability Finance: KFH–B reaffirmed its sustainability push, citing energy-efficient operations, digital steps to cut paper use, and sustainable financing aligned with Bahrain’s net-zero energy neutrality goal by 2060. Renewables Across the Region: A new Arab Energy Organisation report says Arab renewable capacity rose 35.9% in 2025 to about 39.2 GW, led by solar (72.3%); Bahrain added about 0.05 GW. Environment Lawmaking in Parliament: Bahrain’s Shura Council Public Utilities and Environment Committee completed 12 reports, reviewing draft amendments including the Environment Law and measures tied to endangered species trade and renewable energy. Labour Market Inspections: LMRA carried out 4,003 inspection campaigns in May, detaining 129 violating workers and deporting 324 after legal procedures. Regional Trade Disruption: With Strait of Hormuz shipping disrupted, container imports into the Middle East reportedly fell sharply after late-February escalation, underlining pressure on Bahrain-linked logistics.

Renewable Energy Push: Arab renewable capacity jumped about 36% in 2025 to 39.2 GW, with solar making up 72.3% of the total; Bahrain added 0.05 GW as Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the UAE led new installations. Bahrain Climate Awareness: Bahrain’s Supreme Council for Environment held a World Environment Day virtual lecture on climate change, focusing on greenhouse-gas sources, national initiatives, and the need for coordinated public action. Lawmakers Review Green Rules: Bahrain’s Shura Council Public Utilities and Environment Committee completed 12 reports, including draft amendments touching the Environment Law and proposals linked to renewable energy and endangered species trade. Microplastics Focus: A Bahrain op-ed highlights tougher measures aimed at microplastics, including moves to curb plastic packaging and ultra-thin single-use bags that fragment in harsh conditions. Energy Market Stability: Bahrain’s oil and environment minister joined OPEC+ talks via video conference, urging continued coordination to keep global energy markets stable. Regional Shockwaves: Coverage notes Strait of Hormuz disruption cutting seaborne oil and LNG flows to near-zero, with knock-on impacts for regional shipping and trade. World Environment Day Finance: KFH–Bahrain reaffirmed sustainability commitments, citing energy-efficient upgrades and sustainable financing aligned with net-zero goals.