HEADLINE: BRUNEI- Belt and Road Initiative will aid regional recovery: Sultan
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 delivers the titah via recorded video at the Opening Plenary of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2021
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The Belt and Road Initiative would further complement the revitalisation of economies. It is a significant plan that would contribute to regional connectivity and further enhance the economic landscape, and that it could also present opportunities to work together in many areas and through sub-regional fora such as BIMP-EAGA, said 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 during a special titah via recorded video at the Opening Plenary of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2021 in Boao, People’s Republic of China yesterday.
His Majesty was invited by Secretary General of the BFA Li Baodong to deliver the titah as the Chair of ASEAN for 2021.
President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping and other state leaders from Asia-Pacific countries also delivered pre-recorded speeches at the Opening Plenary of the conference.
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Vice President of the People’s Republic of China Wang Qishan attended the conference.
His Majesty said that this year is another milestone in the history of relations with the People’s Republic of China as this year marks the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-China dialogue relations as well as the establishment of diplomatic relations between Brunei Darussalam and People’s Republic of China.
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 delivers the titah via recorded video at the Opening Plenary of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2021.
During this difficult time, ASEAN has shown its solidarity and joined hands to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic, without losing sight of the integration efforts. His Majesty stated that Brunei Darussalam, as the Chair of ASEAN for 2021, has the honour to lead the region towards economic recovery. The theme, ‘We Care, We Prepare, We Prosper’ affirms ASEAN’s collective commitment to care for its people and prepare for future challenges and opportunities, with the goal of ensuring that the whole ASEAN Community can sustainably prosper.
His Majesty said that under the ASEAN Economic Community, Brunei Darussalam’s 13 Priority Economic Deliverables show ASEAN’s determination in focussing its efforts towards the region’s economic recovery post-pandemic, while leveraging on new technologies and digitalisation to ensure sustainable economic growth in ASEAN.
The signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement last year not only demonstrated the concerted efforts of its member countries towards advancing international trade cooperation, but it will also help to strengthen regional recovery efforts. Before concluding the titah, His Majesty looked forward to the continuous strengthening of ASEAN-China cooperation to maximise the prospects and efforts towards achieving regional sustainable economic growth.
The BFA Annual Conference 2021 was held on April 18-21 and coincided with the 20th anniversary of the forum. This year’s forum is themed ‘A World in Change: Join Hands to Strengthen Global Governance and Advance Belt and Road Cooperation’.
Jointly initiated by 29 Asia-Pacific countries in February 2001, BFA serves as a high-level platform of dialogue bringing together more than 2,000 delegates from governments, businesses, media, academic institutions and international organisations from Asia and beyond, including leaders from host country People’s Republic of China and other economies, to share their insights and proposals on the development of Asia and the world.
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