12 December 2005 - His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam attended the Opening of 11th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC). The host, YAB Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the Prime Minister of Malaysia warmly welcomed the leaders attending the annual summit and later proceeded to the Conference Hall 2 of the KLCC.

The three-day summit was held alongside the regional grouping's summits with China, Japan and South Korea collectively and singularly with India and Russia.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam greets by YAB Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Prime Minister of Malaysia upon arriving at the 11th ASEAN Summit Plenary Session at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on 12 December 2005. [picture on right]

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei in a group photo with ASEAN Leaders prior to the 11th ASEAN Summit Plenary Session

[ From left ] His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, H.E. Samdech Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia, H.E. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of Indonesia, H.E. Bounnhang Vorachith, Prime Minister of Laos, Y.A.B. Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Prime Minister of Malaysia, H.E. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, President of the Philippines, H.E. General Soe Win, Prime Minister of Myanmar, H.E. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of Singapore, H.E. Thaksin Shinawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand and H.E. Phan Van Khai, Prime Minister of Vietnam

HIS MAJESTY DELIVERS STATEMENT AT THE SUMMIT

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam delivered a statement at the Plenary Session of the ASEAN Summit. In his statement, His Majesty said that he was fairly satisfied that ASEAN remained peaceful and stable, but expressed his concern about several problems that happened in the last 12 months, especially the avian flu.

His Majesty said that the emergence of avian flu and the outbreak of infectious diseases “presented serious threats not only to the ASEAN economies but also the drastic impact they have on the well being and security of the people and countries affected by them. "

His Majesty further stated that the people have a straightforward demand from the summit that ASEAN is well-prepared and able to work efficiently together. The summits held every year provided the chance to show that ASEAN can work together and efficiently, as well to ensure the vision of an ASEAN community was realized.

His Majesty also emphasized that cooperation in the transportation, communication and ASEAN Exchange Programme involving youth and culture would ensure in realising a sense of belonging to the ASEAN community.

His Majesty reiterated call on business communities to take advantage of the economic policies and measures introduced by ASEAN.

9th ASEAN + 3 SUMMIT

His Majesty also attended the 9th ASEAN + 3 Summit that brought together leaders of ASEAN and their counterparts from China, Japan and South Korea. The leaders discussed issues of mutual interest including the progress of ASEAN + 3 Cooperation.
 
In his Speech at the Summit, His Majesty emphasized the importance of dialogue and consultation for the peace and stability of the region as well as for the cooperation and development that people were seeking all over East Asia. His Majesty reaffirmed the relevance of the ASEAN Plus Three Summit in the regional architecture of East Asia.
 
His Majesty urged that the geographical proximity of ASEAN + 3 partners not only made them natural partners but also served as a good basis to forge closer economic ties. His Majesty was also pleased with the efforts to strengthen all aspects of cultural cooperation.
 
In fostering a sense of identity with the East Asia region, His Majesty suggested enhanced cooperation in communication, transportation, air linkages as well as information and communications technology as one practical way to achieve it.
 
His Majesty encouraged ASEAN + 3 to cooperate in a more comprehensive nature, especially in dealing with common challenges and called to establish cooperation in the area of disaster management and to curb infectious diseases.
 
His Majesty also stated that the ASEAN + 3 framework of cooperation should be the prime mover to realise the East Asia community. His Majesty therefore believed that it was essential for the ASEAN + 3 process to continue to deepen its dialogue and cooperation activities in all areas in order to set the direction and pace for the East Asia community building.

HIS MAJESTY SIGNS KL DECLARATION ON ASEAN SUMMIT+3 WITH LEADERS OF ASEAN+3

His Majesty joined the other ASEAN + 3 Heads of State and Government to sign the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the ASEAN + 3 Summit. HRH Prince Mohamad Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, was present at the signing ceremony.

The Declaration states that the ASEAN + 3 Summit continues to encourage and support cooperation under the ASEAN Plus One process to complement the overall cooperation within the ASEAN Plus Three framework, speed up the implementation of the short-term and medium and long-term measures of the East Asia Study Group final report and enhance people-to-people exchange.

9th ASEAN-CHINA SUMMIT

At the 9th ASEAN-China Summit, His Majesty expressed his satisfaction on the progress of the ASEAN-China cooperation especially in the priority areas such as ICT as well as human resource development.
 
His Majesty also expressed the hope that more could be still achieved in the economic area specifically in services and investment with the view to establish a comprehensive economic cooperation.
 
His Majesty was also pleased with the role played by China in the development of ASEAN's sub-regions that would help to bridge the development gaps within ASEAN. His Majesty was particularly encouraged by China's interest to assist in the BIMP-EAGA's work programme.
 
On the ASEAN-wide cooperation with China, His Majesty supported the idea of setting up an ASEAN-China Trade, Investment and Tourism Promotion Centre as well as ASEAN-China Youth Entrepreneurs Association which would bring together people from China and ASEAN in those important areas.