21 July 2026 / 6 Safar 1448H – His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Mateen ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam is in Manila, Republic of the Philippines, to attend the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Post-Ministerial Conferences and Related Meetings from 20 – 23 July 2026.
This morning, His Royal Highness attended the Opening Ceremony of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, which was officiated by Her Excellency Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines at the Philippine International Convention Center.
His Royal Highness then participated in the Plenary and Retreat sessions of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, during which Ministers discussed various matters, including ASEAN Community Building and external relations. In the Plenary Session, His Royal Highness emphasised the importance of upholding a rules-based international order and ensuring ASEAN's needs and interests remain at the centre of its engagement. In this context, His Royal Highness underscored the importance of encouraging countries aligned with the principles of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) to join the Treaty, thereby strengthening regional peace, stability and cooperation. His Royal Highness also underscored the need for stronger collective efforts to address shared challenges, particularly climate change, highlighting the role of the ASEAN Centre for Climate Change in Brunei Darussalam in coordinating future regional efforts.
At the Retreat Session, Ministers exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, including the situation in the Middle East and its wide-ranging impacts on economies and the well-being of peoples in Southeast Asia. His Royal Highness emphasised the importance of maintaining open channels of communication and urged all parties to exercise restraint and to resolve differences through peaceful means in accordance with international law.
During the Extended Informal Consultation, His Royal Highness joined fellow ASEAN Foreign Ministers to discuss the evolving political situation in Myanmar and explore ways to advance the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus. His Royal Highness expressed gratitude to the Government of Thailand for hosting the recent informal meeting in Bangkok and underscored the importance of an inclusive reconciliation process that involves all key political stakeholders.
His Royal Highness also held bilateral meetings with His Excellency Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, and His Excellency Thongsavan Phomvihane, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. During the bilateral meeting with the Secretary-General of ASEAN, His Royal Highness expressed appreciation for the ASEAN Secretariat's continued support for advancing ASEAN Community-building efforts and for implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. Separately, during the bilateral meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, both sides expressed satisfaction with the excellent progress of the Strategic Partnership, particularly in trade, defence, education and people-to-people exchanges.
In the evening, His Royal Highness and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Anisha Rosnah binti Adam joined other ASEAN Foreign Ministers, the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN Dialogue Partners, and other external partners for a Gala Dinner hosted by Her Excellency Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines, at the Museo del Galeon.
* * * * *
