Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Nazmi Awang Mohamad delivering his speech. - MCYS
BANGKOK: Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Nazmi Awang Mohamad underscored the importance of digital innovation as a key driver of rural development during the 14th Asean Ministers Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (AMRDPE) in Bangkok, Thailand on Dec 12.
He also shared Brunei’s best practice through the National Welfare System (SKN), which enabled more targeted and impactful interventions through the integration of comprehensive poverty-related data.
Enhancements to SKN using artificial intelligence (AI) are also being planned to improve user experience and ensure that digital innovation strengthens the delivery of assistance especially to those most in need, including rural communities.
The minister also highlighted the success of the One Village One Product (1K1P) initiative in empowering villages through income generation based on traditional skills and local wisdom, which in turn create employment opportunities and strengthen cultural identity.
He stressed that multi-sectoral support is essential in sustaining rural development, including through community-based tourism, micro-financing schemes, and skills development programmes that help strengthen small enterprises and expand economic opportunities for vulnerable groups.
Themed ‘Advancing Inclusive Rural Development through Innovation, Local Wisdom and Community Empowerment for Sustainable Poverty Eradication in Asean’, the 14th AMRDPE was chaired by Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Interior, Thailand Sasithorn Kittidhrakul.
The 14th AMRDPE adopted a joint statement affirming the importance of continued investment in local innovation and enhanced digitalisation as drivers of inclusive and resilient rural transformation; encouraging multi-sectoral collaboration, including active participation of the private sector and civil society, and technical and financial support from regional bodies; as well as the commitment to collective responsibility and transparent monitoring to ensure equitable development outcomes.
The 14th AMRDPE was preceded by the 22nd Asean Senior Officials Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (SOMRDPE) on Dec 10-11, and the 17th SOMRDPE Plus Three Meeting on Dec 11.
Permanent Secretary (Community) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Nor Ashikin Johari handed over the SOMRDPE chairmanship from Brunei Darussalam to Thailand. She expressed appreciation to Asean Member States for their cooperation throughout Brunei Darussalam’s tenure as chair.
Through joint dedication, the role of SOMRDPE has been strengthened as a dynamic platform supporting inclusive and sustainable regional development.
The 14th Asean Public-Private-People Partnership Forum on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication was also held on Dec 9, as well as the 3rd Asean Villages Network Meeting on Dec 10.
In conjunction with the 14th AMRDPE, the 7th Asean Leadership Award on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication was held on Dec 11 to recognise the roles, outstanding achievements and contributions of non-government organisations and private sector entities across Asean.
This year, Project Women Brunei represented by its founder Nur Judy Abdullah received the award under the Non-Governmental Organisation category.
Syarikat Takaza Contractor Sdn Bhd represented by its managing director Mohd Azmi Nohi received the award under the Private Sector category, for the contributions towards empowering vulnerable communities in the Sultanate. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
