IT IS timely to explore ways to ensure seamless regional integration in communications, 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 said.
“ASEAN member states are now making intra-ASEAN travel easier for tourists and business people alike. This could contribute towards their goal of doubling intra-ASEAN trade by 2025,” His Majesty noted while delivering a titah during the Plenary Session of the 32nd ASEAN Summit in the Republic of Singapore yesterday.
The monarch expressed confidence that under Singapore’s chairmanship, the ASEAN member states will continue building a peaceful and prosperous region as they had done over the past 50 years.
His Majesty praised the summit’s theme, ‘Resilience and Innovation’ and voiced support for the proposed outcome documents.
In the titah, the monarch called on ASEAN member states to continue to strengthen their cooperation. “The member states should identify ways that would benefit their peoples and bring more meaning to the ASEAN community.”
His Majesty expressed satisfaction with what the member states have achieved so far to increase the region’s competitiveness. “They could further enhance this by improving their human capital, so that they become more educated, highly skilled and innovative,” the monarch said, adding that “such efforts could ensure their people’s readiness in adapting to advancements in technology”.
His Majesty stressed the need for the ASEAN member states to be prepared for the opportunities and challenges which will affect all pillars of the ASEAN community. “Opportunities include better healthcare services, improvements to law enforcement capabilities, greater access to information and the development of cities of the future,” the monarch noted.
His Majesty cited the potential use of technology to disrupt security, the misuse of personal data and fake news as among the new challenges to be faced.
His Majesty said such developments would require a coordinated and robust regional response, and thereby called on the ASEAN Secretariat to study and provide recommendations on the implications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution to ASEAN’s pillars of cooperation.
In ending the titah, His Majesty welcomed the positive outcomes of the Inter-Korea Summit, including their declaration to end war on the Korean Peninsula. The monarch said he looks forward to continued dialogue between the parties concerned that will lead to the de-nuclearisation of the peninsula.
Earlier, His Majesty attended a working dinner hosted by Lee Hsien Loong, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore and Chairman of ASEAN, in honour of ASEAN Heads of State and Government attending the 32nd ASEAN Summit.
The dinner was held at the Istana, Republic of Singapore.
Upon arrival at the Reception Room, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam was greeted by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore.
The monarch, together with other ASEAN Heads of State and Government, then proceeded to attend the working dinner at the State Room.
Lee Hsien Loong in his opening remarks at the dinner welcomed all the ASEAN leaders and delegates to the Republic of Singapore.
His Majesty, together with other ASEAN leaders, then attended the Plenary Session of the 32nd ASEAN Summit at the Banquet Hall. The session commenced with an opening statement by Lee Hsien Loong. This was followed by a statement from Dato Paduka Lim Jock Hoi, the Secretary-General of ASEAN.
The post Ensure seamless ASEAN integration appeared first on Borneo Bulletin Online.