Twenty-two senior officials from Brunei and Singapore Civil Services are participating in the 22nd Second Echelon Brunei-Singapore Civil Service Exchange Programme (CSEP) to network, learn best practices and establish closer ties between the two nations.
The programme began with an opening ceremony, officiated by Permanent Secretary (Energy) at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Hajah Farida binti Dato Seri Paduka Haji Talib, at Civil Service Institute (IPA) in Kampong Rimba yesterday.
The permanent secretary, in her welcoming remark, highlighted the theme of the cohort, ‘Building Our Future Together’ selected to align with the vision of the two nations and to contribute towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in fostering global peace and prosperity.
In terms of collaboration related to SDGs, she said “Brunei and Singapore have consistently shared information on monitoring air quality and pollution, maintaining cleanliness of rivers and raising environmental awareness amongst youth. These efforts were highlighted in a recent meeting between both countries during the 17th Brunei Darussalam-Singapore Annual Exchange of Visits on the Environment, held last August in Singapore.
The meeting was co-led by Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Brunei’s Minister of Development. Such collaborations that transcend borders represent a coordinated effort to achieve sustainable development and ensure a healthy and clean environment within the region.”
The Brunei delegation attending the programme is led by Deputy Permanent Secretary (Energy) at the PMO Pengiran Haji Jamra Weira bin Pengiran Haji Petra, while the Singapore delegation is led by Deputy Secretary of Digital Society and Development, Ministry of Digital Development and Information Fong Su-Yi.
Jointly organised by IPA and Civil Service College of Singapore, CSEP has been conducted annually since its inception in 2002.
This year’s CSEP is taking place from November 18 to 22 and the programme includes lectures by relevant agencies, strategic conversation with ministries and learning journeys including a visit to Springhill farm, an organic based sustainable carbon negative farm run by a local that uses no government-supplied water or electricity.
Singapore is set to host CSEP next year. – James Kon
