| Fizah HAB |
HER Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman launched the 14th International School Brunei (ISB) Borneo Global Issues Conference (BGIC) at the International Convention Centre (ICC) yesterday.
A series of performances enlivened the launching ceremony which included an upbeat number promoting marine conservation by Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Muda ‘Abdul Muntaqim ibni Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah.
The event began with a welcoming address by Dr Steven Geraghty, Executive Principal of ISB, who said that issues related to pollution caused by plastic and coral reef protection play a significant role in the sustainability debate, highlighting this year’s conference theme ‘Life Under Water’.
Following the welcoming speech, Her Royal Highness delivered a sabda before officially opening the conference.
The keynote address on the conference theme was delivered by guest speakers Anna Oposa, Co-founder and Chief Mermaid of Save Phillipine Seas and Danni Washington, Co-founder of the Big Blue & You, which is a non-profit organisation dedicated to inspiring and educating youth about marine conservation through arts and media.
During the event, Her Royal Highness also presented certificates of participation to representatives from 24 schools attending the conference and certificates of appreciation to sponsors of the event before posing for a group photo with the certificate recipients.
As the Co-founder and Chief Mermaid of Save Phillipine Seas, Anna Oposa leads campaigns and projects on shark conservation and community empowerment. She also has served as a consultant for the Climate Change Commission, Oceana and the Asian Development Bank as well as one of the founding members of World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Manila Hub and served as its Vice-Curator (2012-2013) and Curator (2013-2014).
Danni Washington is the first African-American woman to host her own science television. Danni is deeply passionate about inspiring the next generation to connect and understand the natural world and has spent the last 10 years finding creative ways to convert her passion for the ocean and science into exciting, high profile initiatives.
This year’s conference will be focussing on issues such as plastic pollution, coral reef and sea animal conservation. The theme holds a significant importance for Brunei as it faces the need to protect the marine and coastal ecosystem from pollution.
