1. Brunei and Malaysia Hold the 27th Annual Leaders' Consultation
On August 21-22, Malaysian Prime Minister YAB Dato' Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim led a delegation to visit Brunei and co-chaired the 27th Annual Leaders' Consultation (ALC) with 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,. The two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest. In the joint statement, both leaders emphasized that approximately 50% of the land boundary between Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia has been jointly surveyed and demarcated, with the target of completing the joint survey and demarcation of the entire land boundary by 2034. Both sides will strengthen cooperation in energy, food security, and other areas, deepen economic ties and connectivity between Brunei Darussalam and the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, and explore the feasibility of a “single checkpoint" to streamline immigration procedures. Both sides also renewed the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Disaster Management.
2. His Majesty Graces the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Special Forces Regiment
On August 19, 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 graced Golden Jubilee Celebration Ceremony of the Special Forces Regiment, Royal Brunei Armed Forces (SFR RBAF). His Majesty observed a military parade and special operations capability demonstrations, and officiated the opening of the Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Complex. In the titah, His Majesty stated that the regional and international security landscape is becoming increasingly uncertain, Brunei must maintain a strong defence capability as a national priority. His Majesty emphasized that the SFR RBAF should strengthen international cooperation with the special forces of friendly countries and continue to develop its capabilities on par with international special forces.
3. Brunei Attends ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Youth and ASEAN+3 Ministerial Meeting on Youth
On August 21, Yang Berhormat Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports of Brunei Darussalam participated virtually in the 14th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Youth and the 10th ASEAN+3 Ministerial Meeting on Youth. In his remarks, the minister stated that youth development remains a national priority, Brunei will strengthen interaction between policymakers and youth, and reinforce the role of the National Service Programme and the Youth Development Centre in enhancing youth discipline, skills, and patriotism. The meetings adopted two Joint Ministerial Statements, as well as the ASEAN Work Plan on Youth (2026–2030), the ASEAN Declaration on Strengthening Youth Development, and the ASEAN Youth Statement on Digital Resilience.
4. Brunei Hybrid Rice Breeding and Seed Production Senior Expert Advisory Project Launched
On August 22, the Senior Expert Advisory Program on Hybrid Rice Breeding and Seed Production in Brunei Darussalam officially launched. At the invitation of the Bruneian side, Ambassador H.E. Chen Shaochun, along with Bruneian government officials including Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Yang Mulia Awang Mohammad Harris Bin Brigadier General (B) Dato Paduka Haji Ibrahim, as well as representatives of the Chinese expert team and Bruneian trainees, attended the launching ceremony. In recent years, China and Brunei have achieved productive outcomes in bilateral cooperation, through expert exchanges, technical training, and trial planting of improved seeds. The launch of this Senior Expert Advisory Program is yet another practical manifestation of the two sides’ efforts to implement the important consensus of their leaders on deepening agricultural collaboration and promoting cooperative research on hybrid rice.