Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Dr Abdul Fattaah, Chairman of Baiduri Bank, the inaugural Sustainable Future Forum in Brunei Darussalam’s lead partner, emphasised the urgency of taking practical steps and actions towards a more sustainability-conscious nation.
He said sustainability is also Brunei’s focus in the national Vision 2035. Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Dr Abdul Fattaah made these comments at the forum themed ‘Mission Possible: Sustainable in Action at Radisson Hotel’ yesterday.
“We have a forward looking vision whereby many areas are very much aligned with the government’s goal to be recognised with the population that is well-educated and highly-skilled workforce with a high quality of life and a dynamic and stable economy.”
Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Dr Abdul Fattaah added, “Our focus is on high sustainable growth to greater output productivity with well-chosen investment. Just imagine what Brunei looks like with a diversified economy, sector diversification and export diversification.”
“In business, there is an increasing emphasis to balance between making profits and sustainability. This can be seen from corporate setting, CSR and environmental aspect.”
Approximately 150 attended the event comprising corporate leaders, entrepreneurs and students representing various industries and institutions in the country.
The programme facilitated a dialogue on how various stakeholders in sustainability can work together to contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
The forum featured four overseas speakers from Indonesia, the Philippines and United Kingdom who discussed pressing questions related to sustainability, food security, and environmental preservation.
They were joined by speakers and panellists from Brunei who lead sustainable practices in their businesses and organisations.
The session, ‘Sustainability: What It Means, What Is At Stake, and What We Can Do’, began with an insight address by co-author Professor David Grayson of The Sustainable Business Handbook and a thought leader in sustainability and corporate responsibility. His address was followed by a conversation with Head of Energy Transition at Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Shirley Sikun, moderated by Chairman of Asia Inc Forum Dato Timothy Ong.
The session followed with a dialogue with corporate leaders on ‘Sustainability in Business: How to Make It Work’, led by Baiduri Bank Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Compliance, Corporate Governance and Legal Support Manuel Bulens, Brunei Fertilizer Industries Sdn Bhd CEO Dr Harri Kiiski and Head of Corporate Strategy for Sustainability at PETRONAS Wan Sayuti bin Wan Hussin moderated by Country Manager at DHI Brunei Liaw Lin Ji.
The panel and open forum discussion explored perspectives on developing and implementing environmental, social, and governance strategies for larger, more established businesses. – Azlan Othman
