Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II Major General (Rtd) Datuk Paduka Seri Awang Halbi Mohd Yussof with his counterparts and other top officials from different nations and the UN. - Photo: MinDef
BERLIN: Brunei Darussalam participated in the United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping Ministerial 2025, held from May 13 to 14 in Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany.
Leading the delegation was Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II Major General (Rtd) Datuk Paduka Seri Awang Halbi Mohd Yussof.
The delegation included senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and was accompanied by Brunei Darussalam’s Ambassador to Germany Pengiran Krtini Pengiran Mohd Tahir.
The ministerial meeting, part of a continuing series of high-level peacekeeping dialogues since 2014, brought together 54 ministers, 15 deputy ministers, and representatives from 133 UN member states.
This year’s theme, “The Future of Peacekeeping”, focused on enhancing peacekeeping mandates, addressing capability gaps, increasing the use of technology, and reinforcing the safety and effectiveness of UN operations.
The opening ceremony featured addresses by Foreign Minister of Germany Johann Wadephul; Defence Minister of Germany Boris Pistorius, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Throughout the conference, the Minister of Defence II engaged in discussions with key counterparts including the Defence Minister of Germany and Minister of National Defence of the People’s Republic of China Admiral Dong Jun.
He also met with Asean and international counterparts to strengthen regional cooperation in peace and security.
Brunei Darussalam remains a committed supporter of global peacekeeping initiatives.
The nation first contributed to UN peacekeeping in 1993 under the UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC).
Since 2008, the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) have joined the Malaysian Armed Forces as part of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
Brunei has also served on the UN Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations (C34) since 2017.
At the closing on Wednesday (May 14), Germany announced that 74 countries had made pledges to modernise peace operations and bridge capability gaps, reflecting strong international commitment to peacekeeping reform. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
