Brunei Darussalam will take over the presidency of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) in 2021 after Vietnam handed over the symbolic gavel at the tip of the thirty seventh ASEAN Summit in Hanoi on Sunday. As the COVID-19 pandemic forced this yr’s meeting to be moved online, Brunei’s ambassador to Vietnam, Pg Hj Sahari Pg Hj Salleh, accepted the symbolic gavel because the person of the Government of Brunei Darussalam. Brunei last held the ASEAN chairmanship in 2013.
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah in his speech delivered by Bandar Seri Begawan mentioned that Vietnam has united ASEAN in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. His Majesty added that Brunei will proceed and speed up its economic recovery to be higher for ASEAN.
“Although ASEAN is a prosperous region with a growing economy and better connectivity, the region has faced financial crises, energy shortages, natural disasters and climate change,” he said. [coronavirus] it also showed us that ASEAN must proceed to strengthen ASEAN solidarity and centrality to beat them.”
His Majesty unveiled the theme of Brunei’s 2021 ASEAN Chairmanship with the slogan “We Care, We Prepare, We Prosper”, which reflects three priority points:
- Taking care of the well-being of individuals and one another
- Preparing for future opportunities and challenges
- Shared prosperity as a united region
“ASEAN was founded over fifty years ago with a vision of a better and more peaceful future based on the shared understanding that ASEAN as a whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Integration, unity and solidarity are and must continue to be the cornerstone of ASEAN relations in common development.” the monarch continued.
On Thursday (December 11), ASEAN leaders signed a declaration establishing a travel corridor in 2021. This declaration may exempt travelers from restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the opportunity of regional travel next yr stays uncertain, judging by the various degrees of casualties across ASEAN member countries.
Brunei has not recorded any recent cases of Covid-19 since October 14, but stays closed to non-essential travelers. Since the federal government began enforcing social distancing protocol in June, the country has begun to return to pre-pandemic normality, although large gatherings are still not allowed.
source: scoop
