His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-
Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam recently attended the ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit held at the Europa Building in Brussels, Kingdom of Belgium.
In a plenary session during the summit, the monarch in a titah highlighted that this year ASEAN and the EU celebrate 45 years of Dialogue Relations and as successful regional organisations, are natural partners to promote regional integration, peace and security.
Touching on the strategic partnership between ASEAN and the EU, His Majesty stated that the focus should also be on the current pressing challenges namely climate change, biodiversity loss and deforestation, which have contributed to the ongoing extreme weather patterns, loss of potable water, air pollution, and environmental degradation.
ASEAN and the EU need to make a green transition to ensure more sustainable growth and development therefore, His Majesty welcomed the cooperation through the Green Initiative Programme in Southeast Asia and looked forward to working with the EU through the ASEAN Centre for Climate Change to be established in Brunei Darussalam.
The Sultan also emphasised the importance of transforming the world’s food
systems to prevent food wastage and loss.
To this end, His Majesty highlighted the benefits of cooperation in this area due to the EU’s experience in digital transformation and its advancements in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, such as the development and use of innovative approaches in agriculture production, efficient distribution and storage system.
The plenary session that was attended by ASEAN and EU Leaders focused on the direction of ASEAN-EU Dialogue Relations as well as regional and international issues of common concern.
Prior to that, His Majesty attended the opening ceremony along with other ASEAN and EU Leaders, which began with remarks by His Excellency Charles Michel, the President of the European Council; and His Excellency Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia as the Co-Chairs of the ASEAN-E.U. Commemorative Summit.
This was followed by opening remarks by Her Excellency Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission; His Excellency Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., the President of the Republic of the Philippines, as country coordinator for ASEAN-EU; His Excellency Petr Fiala, the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, as EU Council Presidency; and His Excellency Joko Widodo, the President of the Republic of Indonesia, as incoming ASEAN Chair in 2023.
Accompanying His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei
Darussalam to the Commemorative Summit was His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.
At the end of the Summit, the Joint Leaders’ Statement of the ASEAN-EU
Commemorative Summit was issued.
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam left Brussels after attending the commemorative summit.
Prior to departure, a doa selamat was recited by Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu
Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr.) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.
THE BRUNEIAN | BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
