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 yesterday attended the 1st Asean-Australia Biennial Summit held at the National Convention Centre, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic.

In a titah, His Majesty said Asean will continue to prioritise the work with Australia on various areas of mutual benefit.

In trade and investment cooperation, the Asean Australia-New Zealand FTA has been central to a steady economic growth. The FTA Economic Cooperation Support Programme supports Asean's Economic Community Blueprint 2025.

Brunei Darussalam looks forward to increase investment at the bilateral and regional levels.

His Majesty emphasised the need for continued commitment towards peace, prosperity and stability in the region. His Majesty noted that Australia has been steadfast in its engagement through Asean-led mechanisms in addressing regional and global security concerns.

His Majesty appreciated Australia's active support for the Asean Humanitarian Assistance Centre (AHA Centre) and the implementation of the Asean Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response.

His Majesty also highlighted the important role of education in people-to-people ties and the priority placed by Australia, through the

Australian Awards Programme and the New Colombo Plan. Such exchanges, will improve the skills of the people, encourage a greater sense of understanding, as well as help build a solid foundation to strengthen Asean-Australia cooperation in all areas of shared interest.

The Asean-Australia Summit, which will convene biennially starting 2016 began with welcoming remarks by Thongloun Sisoulith, the Prime Minister of the Lao. People's Democratic Republic and Chairman of Asean which was followed by a statement from Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister of Australia.

Thongloun Sisoulith then invited Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, as the Country Coordinator for AseanAustralia Relations to convey her statement.

After the 1" Asean-Australia Biennial Summit, His Majesty attended the 8th Asean-UN Summit.The summit began with welcoming remarks by Thongloun Sisoulith, which was followed by a statement from. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations.

In the summit, His Majesty delivered a titah that highlighted the increased impetus for Asean and the UN to work closely together to ensure the well-being and prosperity of the people, following the adoption of the Asean Vision 2025 and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development last year.

In maintaining peace and security, His Majesty prioritised cooperation in preventive diplomacy. In this regard, officials are encouraged to utilise the UN's vast knowledge and experience in preventive diplomacy, especially through increased collaboration in the Asean Regional Forum.

Efforts in promoting respect for diversity, for tolerance and understanding of faith, religion and culture, and moderation will bridge differences and defuse tensions.

His Majesty also stressed the importance of ensuring equal opportunities for quality education especially for youths, to develop the necessary skills for the future. Education can foster tolerance and mutual understanding and further promote moderation and respect for life, amongst youths.

His Majesty hoped the UN will continue to support Asean in meaningful areas of cooperation.

Earlier His Majesty attended the 18th Asean-Republic of Korea Summit where His Majesty delivered a titah that highlighted the importance of strengthening economic cooperation towards shared prosperity, as well as the importance of cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

His Majesty appreciated the progress made under the Asean-Korea Free Trade Agreement, and looked forward to continued cooperation in other areas such as energy, food security and ICT.

His Majesty highlighted that the Republic of Korea's expertise especially in technology and nurturing innovation, are areas where Asean and Republic of Korea can collaborate further.

His Majesty thanked the Republic of Korea for its efforts in enhancing engagement between institutions and business people, especially Small and Medium Enterprises, through the Asean-Korea Centre.

After the 18th Asean-Republic of Korea Summit, His Majesty attended the 19th Asean Plus Three Summit where His Majesty delivered a titah that highlighted the importance to deepen and broaden cooperation and collaboration between Asean and the Plus Three Partners (ie the People's Republic of China, Japan, and Republic of Korea) in the areas of trade and investment, people-to-people linkages, and connectivity.

His Majesty emphasised the potential to improve and facilitate trade and investment as well as to create more opportunities for the business people.

His Majesty welcomed the efforts to increase collaboration between the three Asean Centres in the People's Republic of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, and hoped for a greater capacity building as well as the creation of more opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises.

His Majesty also highlighted the importance of people-to-people links in developing stronger educational ties, greater cultural exchanges and increased tourism.

His Majesty stressed the importance to promote greater connectivity between Asean and the Plus Three Countries, and welcomed initiatives that aim to narrow the infrastructure financing gap, which help further strengthen connectivity and lead to enhanced growth.

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by BruDirect.com

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