Brunei chairs ASEAN Chairmanship 2021

As Brunei Darussalam takes on the ASEAN chairmanship in 2021 after Vietnam with the theme “We Care, We Prepare, We Prosper”, Mr Pengiran Kasmirhan Pengiran Tahir, Ambassador of Brunei to Cambodia, in an exclusive interview with Khmer Times, tells how they will work with fellow ASEAN member states to realise the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.

KT: This is not the first time that Brunei is chairing the ASEAN Chairmanship, could you kindly share with us your experience

Ambassador Tahir: As you know, the ASEAN Chairmanship is rotated annually among its member states. Next year marks the fifth time that Brunei will chair the ASEAN Chairmanship since joining as a member ttate on 7 January 1984. The years that Brunei has acted as chairwere 1989, 1995, 2001 and 2013.

Since 2013, the ASEAN region has seen immense development and growth potential. It is also a major global hub for manufacturing and trade, not denying the fact that the region is predicted to become the fourth largest economy by 2030. In 2020  however, the ASEAN countries as well as all other countries around the world, were adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic – lives have been upended, economic activities disrupted and all forms of movement restricted globally.

In all of ASEAN’s 53 years of existence, the pandemic has been the most disruptive, with far-reaching consequences in all areas, including health, livelihood, tourism and the global economy. Although ASEAN has faced challenges such as SARS, H1N1, the 1997 financial crisis and the 2008 food crisis, none of these have truly tested ASEAN’s solidarity and resolve to work harder than  COVID-19.

The drastic impacts brought by the unprecedented pandemic has shown that ASEAN countries must continue strengthening ASEAN’s centrality and solidarity to overcome the pandemic and mitigate the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 in the region.

Under Vietnam’s Chairmanship last year, it was able to guide ASEAN to create a regional cohesive response to the pandemic such as the establishment of the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund.

It was on 15 November 2020 that the Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, as the successful ASEAN Chairman for 2020, handed over the ASEAN Chairmanship to His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam at the closing ceremony of the 37th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, held virtually via video conference.

KT: What are Brunei’s priorities during its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2021?

Ambassador Tahir: As per His Majesty’s speech during the Handing Over Ceremony of the ASEAN Chairmanship to Brunei on 15 November 2020, His Majesty expressed that Brunei will continue building on Vietnam’s work to advance regional recovery and community-building efforts. In this spirit, His Majesty announced that the theme for Brunei Chairmanship in 2021 will be “We Care, We Prepare, We Prosper”.

KT: Could you tell us more about the theme? What does it represent?

Ambassador Tahir: Brunei’s theme portrays ASEAN’s collective commitment to care for its people and prepare for future opportunities and challenges, with the goal of ensuring that the whole ASEAN Community can sustainably prosper.

Under this theme, Brunei will promote the following three fundamental areas as inspired by ASEAN’s long history of development, namely:

Harness the caring nature of ASEAN to build a harmonious and resilient community with people at its centre.

Prepare and adapt for the future to ensure ASEAN remains relevant and its people can take advantage of the new opportunities, as well as overcome existing and future challenges.

Create opportunities for people to benefit through initiatives that enhance the sustainable prosperity of the region.

In order to realise these broad priorities, Brunei will promote a strategic and holistic coordinated approach to address relevant emergencies, economic crisis, disasters and disruptions that may face the ASEAN Community.

KT: What is the meaning behind the symbolism of Brunei’s logo for ASEAN 2021?

Ambassador Tahir: There are four elements to the ASEAN 2021 logo. Firstly, it displays 10 petals that represent the 10 ASEAN member states bound together in friendship and solidarity. Secondly, it illustrates a blooming flower that reflects ASEAN’s diversity and uniqueness. It is where all member states unite in ensuring the well-being and the quality of life of its people that will contribute to the sustainability, resilience and prosperity of the ASEAN region.

Next, the combination of colours of the ASEAN logo portrays solidarity, respect, tolerance and ASEAN’s efforts towards responding to current and future challenges. Finally, the gold ornament is inspired from “Bunga Ayer Muleh” which symbolises Brunei’s traditional motif. It represents ASEAN’s cooperation and engagement with other countries that can contribute towards the development and resilience of the ASEAN region.

KT: What would be Brunei’s other priorities for ASEAN?

Ambassador Tahir: With regards to ASEAN’s overall work in 2021, Brunei will uphold ASEAN’s principles, continue the work towards achieving the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and strengthen ASEAN’s institutions.

Brunei will also focus on the implementation of the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, cooperate on vaccines and enable a swift recovery.

In doing so, Brunei will work with external partners and utilise ASEAN-led mechanisms including the ASEAN Plus Three and the East Asia Summit to strengthen the region’s resilience to future health emergencies, advance work towards a regional recovery and address the long-term impacts of the pandemic, such as on mental health.

At the same time, Brunei will strengthen ASEAN’s engagement with the existing external partners and establish new ones where necessary. Among others, engaging those partners that wish to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in South East Asia.

KT: COVID-19 still remains a global threat and heavily affecting most countries. Would there be any challenges to host meetings next year?

Ambassador Tahir: In view of the uncertainties caused by the pandemic, Brunei is making preparations for both physical and virtual meetings next year. It will be depend on the situation, taking into account the health and safety of the people.

We will also work closely with all our partners to ensure smooth preparations for the upcoming meetings to be chaired by Brunei in 2021. We hope that ASEAN member states and the dialogue partners will be able to attend the meetings, especially for the high-level leaders meetings.

KT: How could the other pillars of ASEAN support the post recovery of COVID-19?

Ambassador Tahir: For the ASEAN Economic Community, we hope to lead ASEAN in its post-pandemic economic recovery efforts through efficient coordination with relevant sectors and stakeholders, pursuing new opportunities with external partners and ensuring a continuous supply chain through facilitating trade. This would also include strengthening the ASEAN integration agenda and resiliency by leveraging on new technologies and digitalisation.

Likewise, Brunei will promote ASEAN’s coherence and inclusiveness to advance its commitment to sustainable economic development. This would include greater effort in energy security, maximising the efficiency of resources and supporting the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

Within the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC), Brunei will focus on the socio-economic and cultural progress that would enhance the standard and quality of life for all, through the pursuit of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, whilst empowering the people of ASEAN.

We will nurture a participating and socially responsible approach that engages and empowers a people centric and people-oriented approach, that includes youths, women, persons with different abilities and the elderly. In this aspect, the people will be able to contribute towards a sustainable future through partnership and participation in the ASEAN Community.

More efforts will also be placed to foster a greater understanding, tolerance and a sense of regional agendas among the people. In doing so, we would promote greater coherence and narrative in guiding the ASCC efforts on this front, including instilling the Culture of Prevention for a peaceful, resilient, inclusive, healthy and harmonious society.

Overall, we look forward to promoting greater awareness of ASEAN and a sense of belonging. This collective will of togetherness would move the people closer towards a more holistic and relevant ASEAN Community.

Source: Khmer Times