23 July 2026 / 8 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, attended the 27th ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and 16th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers' Meeting at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila, Philippines.
His Royal Highness during the 27th APT Foreign Ministers' Meeting, emphasised the significant contribution of the APT in supporting regional financial stability and enhancing responses to public health emergencies. Building on the success of the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR), His Royal Highness proposed for the establishment of a regional mechanism to improve the preparedness to energy supply disruptions, transportation, and regional supply that includes strategic reserves, information-sharing, and coordinated responses.
His Royal Highness at the 33rd ARF emphasised the need to strengthen regional cooperation to address the increasingly complex global security environment, stressing that no country can tackle these challenges alone. His Royal Highness reaffirmed the Forum's role in promoting consultation, confidence-building through practical cooperation. His Royal Highness further welcomed the adoption of the Manila Plan of Action (2026 – 2036), which will guide the Forum's work over the next decade.
His Royal Highness, in the afternoon, attended the 16th EAS Foreign Ministers' Meeting where His Royal Highness emphasised that the EAS should strengthen regional food security by supporting ASEAN sectoral bodies in fostering sustainable food production, improving supply chain coordination and enhancing regional preparedness, ensuring reliable access to food at all times. His Royal Highness also stressed that, to maintain regional peace, stability and predictability, the EAS must uphold international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, and promote confidence-building measures to reduce tensions.
His Royal Highness also held a bilateral meeting with His Excellency Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India. During the meeting, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to the Brunei Darussalam – India Enhanced Partnership and exchanged views on regional and international developments.
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