Arya News - Highlighting climate change as a shared regional challenge, His Royal Highness underscored the role of the ASEAN Centre for Climate Change in Brunei Darussalam in coordinating future regional efforts and called for stronger collective action to address its impacts.
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen, Minister of Foreign Affairs, called for the strengthening of a rules-based international order and greater regional cooperation to address shared challenges, including climate change, during the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila, the Philippines, on Tuesday.
In a sabda during the plenary session, His Royal Highness stressed the importance of ensuring ASEAN’s needs and interests remain at the centre of the regional bloc’s engagement with external partners. He also encouraged countries that share the principles of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) to accede to the treaty, reinforcing regional peace, stability and cooperation.
Highlighting climate change as a shared regional challenge, His Royal Highness underscored the role of the ASEAN Centre for Climate Change in Brunei Darussalam in coordinating future regional efforts and called for stronger collective action to address its impacts.
His Royal Highness is in Manila to attend the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Post-Ministerial Conferences and Related Meetings from July 20 to 23.
Earlier, His Royal Highness attended the opening ceremony of the meeting at the Philippine International Convention Center, officiated by Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, before participating in the plenary and retreat sessions, where ASEAN foreign ministers discussed ASEAN Community-building initiatives and the bloc’s external relations.
During the retreat session, ministers exchanged views on regional and international developments, including the situation in the Middle East and its implications for economies and communities across Southeast Asia. His Royal Highness emphasised the importance of maintaining open channels of communication and urged all parties to exercise restraint and resolve differences peacefully in accordance with international law.
At the extended informal consultation, His Royal Highness joined fellow ASEAN foreign ministers in discussing the evolving political situation in Myanmar and efforts to advance the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus. He expressed appreciation to the Government of Thailand for hosting the recent informal meeting in Bangkok and reaffirmed the importance of an inclusive reconciliation process involving all key political stakeholders.
On the sidelines of the meeting, His Royal Highness held separate bilateral meetings with ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn and Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavan Phomvihane.
During the meeting with the ASEAN secretary-general, His Royal Highness conveyed appreciation for the ASEAN Secretariat’s continued support in advancing ASEAN Community-building efforts and implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
In his meeting with the Lao deputy prime minister, both sides welcomed the steady progress of the Brunei Darussalam–Lao People’s Democratic Republic Strategic Partnership, particularly in trade, defence, education and people-to-people exchanges.
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Brunei’s Prince Mateen engages with ASEAN dialogue partners