Universiti Brunei Darussalam’s (UBD) Academy of Brunei Studies (APB) launched the Brunei Forum on February 26th 2024, at the Senate Room, Chancellor Hall, UBD.
Themed “Brunei Today and Over the Next Thirty Years,” the two-day forum provided an enriching platform for profound discussions on the contemporary landscape of Brunei and its envisioned future, focusing specifically on Wawasan Brunei 2035.
The event was attended by Pengiran Hajah Siti Nirmala Pengiran Haji Mohamad, Permanent Secretary (Wawasan), Prime Minister’s Office, as the Guest of Honour. Starting off the forum was a keynote speech delivered by Professor Benjamin Cashore, Director of the Institute for Environment and Sustainability, National University of Singapore (NUS).
The first day of the forum also featured special sessions led by prominent local business leaders, including Haji Awang Haji Ali (Executive Chairman and CEO, Belait Shipping Co Sdn Bhd), Haji Ibrahim Khalili Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Haji Abdul Rahman General Manager (SPHI Foods Sdn Bhd), and Haslina Mohd Taib (CEO, Dynamik Technologies Sdn Bhd).
A special talk on Economics and Wawasan was then delivered by Gabriel Yit Vui Yong, Lecturer at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), focusing on the “Blue Urbanism Strategy to Climate Adaptation.”
Youth leaders and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) shared their thoughts and insights during a special session. The panel speakers included Khairunnisa Ash’ari (Founder, Green Brunei), Haji Muhammad Iqbal Fakhri Haji Damit (Co-Founder, Hand4Hand Brunei), Amal Kasibah Bahari (Youth Against Slavery and Human Trafficking), and Datin Paduka Hajah Intan Haji Mohd Kassim (Ahli Jawatankuasa Tadbir Majlis Kesejahteraan Masyarakat).
On the second day, there was a special session by Ustaz Pengiran Ahmad Faris Ramadhani Pengiran Haji Sellahuddin, Mosque Affairs Officer from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, who presented the topic “Transformasi Belia Brunei – Kecenderungan Terhadap Kegiatan Ugama & Kemasyarakatan”.
The forum featured 15 parallel sessions, allowing scholars to present their findings and perspectives on various themes, including Cultural and Environmental Development and Sustainability, Economic Development and Entrepreneurship, International Relations, Youth and Capacity Building, and Health and Ageing.
The Brunei Forum concluded with a closing summary by esteemed professors at UBD; Professor Ooi Keat Gin and Professor Ampuan Dr Haji Brahim Ampuan Haji Tengah. Closing remarks were delivered by Dr Haji Tassim Haji Abu Bakar, Director of APB, UBD.
The Brunei Forum 2024 was a significant platform for fostering collaboration and shaping Brunei’s future trajectory. The insights gained and discussions held during the forum will undoubtedly contribute to the realisation of Wawasan Brunei 2035.