In a historic ceremony, the United States and Bahrain officially welcomed the United Kingdom as its third party to the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA), a framework aimed at fostering broader integration in the Middle East. The agreement, which entered into force on June 19, 2025, marks a significant milestone in the region's efforts to promote security, stability, and prosperity.
The announcement was made during a joint statement released by the Governments of the United States, the Kingdom of Bahrain, and the United Kingdom, which took place at the United States Embassy in Washington, D.C. on July 16, 2025. The ceremony brought together senior officials from both countries, including Mora Namdar, Senior Bureau Official for Near Eastern Affairs, and Lucy Ferguson, the United Kingdom's acting Deputy Head of Mission to the United States.
C-SIPA builds upon the historic achievement and vision of the Abraham Accords, signed in Washington, DC, in September 2020. The agreement has created conditions for closer security and commercial ties among countries inside and outside the Middle East who seek peace and prosperity in the region. Bahrain, which joined the Abraham Accords in 2020, has long been a leader and advocate for realizing the promise of greater regional integration.
The United States, Bahrain, and the United Kingdom reaffirm their desire to strengthen their strategic cooperation to advance the goals of C-SIPA under the agreement's three core pillars: defense and security; economic, commercial, and trade; and science, technology, and network security. In furtherance of C-SIPA's goals, the parties intend to launch working groups to promote strategic cooperation aligned with C-SIPA's objectives as they work towards a future for the Middle East characterized by greater regional stability, economic cooperation, prosperity, and technological innovation.
Key Features of C-SIPA:
• Defense and Security: The agreement aims to strengthen mutual deterrence against external threats and enhance defense cooperation among its parties.
• Economic, Commercial, and Trade: C-SIPA seeks to promote economic growth, trade, and investment in the region, while also enhancing commercial ties between its parties.
• Science, Technology, and Network Security: The agreement aims to foster greater collaboration in science, technology, and network security to address shared challenges and opportunities.
The accession of the United Kingdom to C-SIPA marks a significant step towards realizing the promise of greater regional integration. As the three countries work together to advance the goals of C-SIPA, they have the opportunity to build a more stable, prosperous, and secure future for the Middle East.
Conclusion
The UK's accession to C-SIPA represents a new era of security cooperation in the Middle East, one that has the potential to bring greater stability, prosperity, and technological innovation to the region. As the United States, Bahrain, and the United Kingdom work together to advance the goals of this agreement, they will be shaping a brighter future for the Middle East and promoting peace and prosperity for generations to come.