Manama Dialogue 2017 got underway under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, who deputised Deputy Premier His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa to open the annual international event on Friday evening.
HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak expressed his pleasure at opening on behalf of HRH the Crown Prince the important international and security conference that was held in Bahrain for the 13th time in the presence of high profile participants compromising ministers, academics, army officers and experts in politics and security to explore and exchange views, ideas and visions of events unfolding across the world. 
The conference is also an opportunity to discuss and review important issues and events that constitute serious challenges to the security and stability of all countries and impede their progress and growth and threaten the future of their peoples.
HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak said that Bahrain’s development success is attributed to the keenness of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on ensuring the kingdom’s forward-looking progress and comprehensive advancement that are being led by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and followed up by HRH Crown Prince Salman.
Bahrain continues to assume its responsibilities in providing strategic and logistical support to regional and international alliances aimed at preserving regional security and stability and combating terrorism and extremism.
This stance affirms the Kingdom’s keenness to contribute effectively in these areas and its commitments as an active member in the International Coalition Against Terrorism and the Saudi Arabia-led Arab alliance to support legitimacy in Yemen.
HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak expressed hope that the Manama Dialogue will support the establishment of an advanced security base that will contribute to solving conflicts and wars and combating terrorism and extremism in all its forms and manifestations. 
He wished the participants success and expressed his thanks to Dr John Chipman, Director General and Chief Executive of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, and his collaborators for their efforts in preparing the conference.
The summit's opening address came from Sir John Jenkins, Executive Director, IISS-Middle East, who talked about challenges to the region and pointed out to the need to unify efforts to confront the extremist ideology as a major threat to the world.