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 attended the 20th ASEAN-India Summit, the 18th East Asia Summit, the 3rd ASEAN-Australia Summit, the 13th ASEAN-United Nations (UN) Summit; and the closing ceremony of the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits yesterday. The monarch was accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.
20TH ASEAN-INDIA SUMMIT
At the 20th ASEAN-India Summit, His Majesty said that significant progress has been made in bringing the peoples of ASEAN and India closer together as well as mutually benefiting from the growth and development of the two sides.
His Majesty noted that the establishment of ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022 will bring more opportunities and benefits to both peoples.
The monarch looked forward to further cooperation with India in embracing the rapid developments in information technology that will drive regional economic growth.
His Majesty also welcomed initiatives to develop micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to capitalise on and benefit from the digital transformation era.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that ASEAN is a central pillar of India’s Act East Policy and thus, India extends its full support for ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific.
At the end of the summit, the ASEAN-India Joint Leaders’ Statement on Strengthening Food Security and Nutrition in Response to Crises and the ASEAN-India Joint Statement on Maritime Cooperation were adopted.
18TH EAST ASIA SUMMIT
At the 18th East Asia Summit (EAS), His Majesty underlined the importance of collective efforts to prepare for future health emergencies.
Cooperation is needed to strengthen national and regional health capacities, including access to production and sharing of medical equipment and vaccines, said His Majesty.
“ASEAN must remain focused on advancing mutually beneficial initiatives amid intensifying geopolitical uncertainties, which will ensure the EAS remains relevant as a platform for cooperation,” said the monarch.
At the summit, EAS leaders expressed concern over issues that challenge the rules-based international order and principles of the United Nations (UN) Charter.
The leaders stressed the importance of the EAS as a platform for dialogue and consultation in ensuring peace and security in the region is maintained. At the end of the summit, the EAS Leaders’ Statement on Maintaining and Promoting the Region as an Epicentrum of Growth was adopted.
3RD ASEAN-AUSTRALIA SUMMIT
At the 3rd ASEAN-Australia Summit, His Majesty said the ASEAN-Australia collaboration has expanded across all ASEAN community pillars and contributed to regional peace and development over the past decades. His Majesty expressed appreciation for the ‘Australia for ASEAN Futures Initiative’, which promotes cooperation in shared priority and areas of concern.
On trade cooperation, His Majesty highlighted the need to continue strengthening efforts towards economic growth as it is crucial for development and prosperity. The success of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) also plays a central role in economic growth.
In this regard, His Majesty expressed appreciation of the recent signing of the Second Protocol to Amend the AANZFTA to ensure that the FTA remains of high quality and relevant for businesses, as well as able to create new opportunities for an inclusive and sustainable
regional economy.
At the end of the summit, the ASEAN-Australia Joint Leaders’ Statement on Strengthening Food Security and Nutrition in Response to Crises and the Concept Paper on the Special Summit to Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations were adopted.
13TH ASEAN-UN SUMMIT
At the 13th ASEAN-United Nations Summit, His Majesty said in view of regional conflicts and climate change, an area that requires immediate attention is food security.
His Majesty welcomed more activities and technical cooperation with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (UN FAO) to support ASEAN’s own efforts in enhancing food production, through adopting new technologies and applications.
At the summit, leaders welcomed collective efforts towards accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as leveraging on mutually beneficial areas of cooperation such as digital and green economy.
ASEAN CHAIRMANSHIP PASSED TO LAOS
His Majesty also attended the closing ceremony of the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. During the closing ceremony, Indonesian President Joko Widodo passed the ASEAN chair’s gavel to Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone as the symbolic handover of the 2024 chairmanship to Laos.
The Laotian prime minister in a speech outlined the country’s priorities during its ASEAN chairmanship under the theme ‘ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience’.
After attending the summits and the closing ceremony yesterday, His Majesty and His Royal Highness departed Jakarta.
