BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Brunei Foreign Affairs Minister Prince ‘Abdul Mateen deposited Brunei Darussalam’s instrument of ratification for an international agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The Prince attended a Treaty Event at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Wednesday (Sept 23), where he deposited Brunei Darussalam’s Instrument of Ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, also known as the BBNJ Agreement.
The deposit marks Brunei Darussalam’s formal commitment to the agreement and enables the country to participate fully in its implementation.
Prince Mateen also attended the 19th Ministerial Meeting of the Global Governance Group (3GMM) and the Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Singapore to the United Nations.
At the 3GMM, held under the theme ‘Building an AI-Ready Country’, he highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to support development, including by enhancing productivity, education, healthcare and public services.
He also underscored the importance of AI as a tool for development, accompanied by sensible safeguards.
During the Asean-GCC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the Prince stressed the need to address immediate regional security challenges through diplomacy and respect for international law.
He also highlighted the importance of strengthening Asean-GCC economic resilience through greater cooperation in energy security, trade and supply chain diversification.
On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly high-level week, Prince Maten held bilateral meetings with Vietnam’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung and Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Soltan Saad Al-Muraikhi.
During the meeting with Le Hoai Trung, both sides reaffirmed their excellent bilateral cooperation under the Comprehensive Partnership and looked forward to commemorating the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027, including through exchanges of high-level visits.
Both sides also expressed their commitment to further deepen ties in areas of mutual interest.
In his meeting with Soltan Saad Al-Muraikhi, both sides welcomed the warm and longstanding ties between Brunei Darussalam and Qatar, which mark 35 years of diplomatic relations this year.
They reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including high-level visits, connectivity and through international organisations.
Both sides also exchanged views on pressing regional and international issues. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
