BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Brunei Darussalam joined ASEAN member states and China in marking a milestone with the finalisation of the landmark agreement, the Ipoh Accord, during the ASEAN-China Ministerial Roundtable on Construction and Housing 2026 (ACMROCH 2026).
In alignment with the objectives of the Ipoh Accord, Deputy Minister of Development Datin Seri Paduka Dr Dayang Nor Imtihan binti Haji Abdul Razak delivered Brunei Darussalam's country statement, underscoring the nation's firm commitment, guided by Brunei Vision 2035, across four priority areas.
These priority areas include affordable and quality housing for all by maintaining policies that provide subsidised land and infrastructure, while actively exploring cost-effective smart home designs, age-inclusive features for seniors and youth, and alternative financing models to accelerate housing delivery. Brunei is also focusing on resilient urban planning and climate adaptation by integrating resilience strategies into urban planning through eco-friendly standards, flood mitigation and biodiversity conservation to ensure development remains balanced with the preservation of the natural environment and cultural heritage. The country is strengthening essential urban services through continuous efforts to upgrade core utilities such as water supply, road connectivity, drainage, waste management and energy systems to guarantee efficiency and comprehensive well-being for residents. It is also investing in smart and sustainable infrastructure by leveraging digital technologies and data-driven solutions to future-proof infrastructure in line with its smart city aspirations.
The deputy minister also announced Brunei Darussalam's intention to host the fifth edition of ACMROCH in 2027, marking a historic chapter for the nation. It will be organised in conjunction with Visit Brunei Year 2027.
The meeting, which concluded in Ipoh, Perak, on Saturday, was co-chaired by China and Malaysia.
It was attended by ministers and delegates from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Timor-Leste.
The roundtable, themed "Sustainable Cities, Quality Housing, and Cohesive Communities", drew more than 300 participants from across the region. The adoption of the Ipoh Accord represents a strategic achievement that recognises housing as a long-term social investment extending beyond construction costs, while emphasising quality, durability, accessibility, maintenance, utility efficiency and overall liveability to create safe, inclusive and resilient neighbourhoods.
Through the accord, regional cooperation has been significantly strengthened across three key fronts: government-to-government (G2G) collaboration through the sharing of policies and best practices; industry collaboration through the adoption of technology, innovation and sustainable solutions; and city-to-city cooperation through the exchange of knowledge in developing resilient urban centres. – Brunei Bulletin/ANN
