His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaullah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in his titah says Brunei offers its solidarity with all leaders attending the Asian African Summit in Indonesia, its friendship and commitment for peaceful cooperation amongst all the countries. His Majesty was addressing the Asian-African Summit in Jakarta Friday that brought together more than forty heads of state and government and other leaders representing well over one hundred nations in the continents of Asia and Africa.

His Majesty in his titah also expresses the deepest sympathy to all families who suffered a great personal loss in the December tsunami and the more recent earthquake in Sumatra. His Majesty says the people of Brunei are deeply distressed and will continue do whatever to assist in rebuilding their lives and communities.

According to His Majesty, the Jakarta summit offers the member nations inspiration during very difficult times for the people that the leaders represent. Member countries, His Majesty says are pre-occupied with a growing number of very disturbing global problems which threaten the security of the countries.

His Majesty adds that the problems undermine hopes for long-term stability and weaken the confidence of the citizens in their future. It is therefore, His Majesty suggests, why the leaders should remind themselves of the spirit of hope, goodwill and common purpose in which their predecessors met in Indonesia fifty years ago.

His Majesty also says Indonesia's invitation to meet offers the leaders the chance to renew that spirit of the African and Asian leaders who met in 1955 in addressing the great social and political problems of their own time. In that respect, His Majesty adds, their efforts bore remarkable fruit and that proof is present in Jakarta fifty years later in the freedom that the represented people have obtained. His Majesty says the leaders now meet to seek new freedom for their people especially freedom from instability and insecurity. These, His Majesty adds, are daunting tasks which have to be faced and all nations depend on each other for lasting solutions.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam says they have to work together be it in the regional associations or international institutions they belong to. Or it may be in other ways such as in formal bilateral contacts between governments, in meetings between business people, through

exchange visits, sharing of educational and training programmes or in social, cultural and sporting gatherings. In whatever forms they take, His Majesty says, Brunei Darussalam warmly welcomes all such opportunities because of its importance.In addressing the gathering of Asian and African leaders, His Majesty says that as a very small country, Brunei could be easily overwhelmed in this modern world. So it needs to reach outwards by working through partnership not only with its regional neighbours but also with all members of the international community. Brunei Darussalam therefore values every chance it has to share views with its friends and colleagues in Asia and Africa. Brunei Darussalam, the Monarch says, may be a long way apart in distance but it has an enormous amount in common. This is particularly so in it's special concerns and overall approach to modern international affairs.

His Majesty also says that a summit such as the one in Jakarta achieves many things which can be measured both in the practical ways and by the sum of the goodwill the delegates take home. But above all, His Majesty says, the summit allows leaders to meet each other as friends to understand one another and to deepen the respect for the people they represent, their way life and their aspirations for the future. His Majesty goes on to thank all his colleagues for taking up the challenge that the leaders before them had accepted and assured that Brunei Darussalam will be very pleased to assist in these tasks.

The Asian-African Summit in Jakarta opens with high hopes to improve the livelihood of the millions of people in both continents. When the first summit was held in Bandung fifty years ago, the theme was about liberation and freedom from bondage of colonialism. This summit has pledged to eradicate poverty and underdevelopment that afflict millions of people in Asia and Africa.

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaullah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam together with colleagues from other countries Friday went to the Jakarta International Convention Centre with the hope to inject the spirit of the Bandung Conference that successfully brought freedom to many countries in the developing world. Also with His Majesty was His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam.

The meeting was co-chaired by the President of Indonesia, Doctor Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the President of South Africa, Mr. Thabo Mbeki. As the meeting, which among other things was to address the fate of 4.6 billion people, it was appropriate enough that it began with a minute of silence to remember the thousands who lost their lives during the earthquake and tsunami tragedy that hit many countries in the Indian Ocean Basin.

President Yudhoyono, in his opening statement called for the promotion of a just, democratic, accountable and harmonious society. He said this could be achieved through the strengthening of the process of nation-building and state-building as well as social integration, and more importantly, in upholding the most basic human right, which is the right to live. By that, President Yudhoyono meant not to let Asians or Africans die because he or she is too poor to live.

President Thabo Mbeki in his opening statement said despite all the progress that has been achieved, Asia and Africa continue to face the daunting challenge to eradicate poverty and underdevelopment that afflict millions of people.

One of the achievements of this summit is the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership which seals the renewed commitment of the leaders to help improve the fate of the people in the two continents. His Majesty Sultan the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam signed the declaration of Strategic Partnership Friday afternoon.

The Deputy Sultan, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Salleh Ab' Rahaman Friday night consented to attend the BHP Billiton Australian Film Festival 2005 at Jerudong.

Their Royal Highnesses were welcomed on arrival at the Empire Hotel and Country Club, by the Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Christian Bennett and wife, Ms Kate Buckley and BHP Billiton's General Manager for Australia Asia Exploration, Mr. Saxon Palmer.

Their Royal Highnesses consented to view an exhibition, which among others highlighted His Majesty's first State visit to Australia and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince on board the HMAS Dubbo last August.

In his speech, the Australian High Commissioner said that bilateral relations between Brunei Darussalam and Australia have deepened with the increase in numbers of projects and students studying in Australia.

The Film Festival is part of the Australian High Commission's public diplomacy program. It is also in appreciation to His Majesty's government for the invaluable cooperation that the High Commission has enjoyed over the past year. The Australian Film Festival will feature award-winning Australian features at the cinema until the 25th of this month.

A recent survey conducted at petrol stations in Brunei by Brunei Shell Marketing, BSM, showed that over 70 percent of motorists do not wear safety belts. In this regard, BSM launched a "7 Steps of Service Standard" Campaign, Friday.

From today onwards, pump attendants at all petrol stations will be reminding motorists to fasten their seat belts after filling up their cars with fuel. This initiative is part of the nationwide National Road Safety Campaign launched to further promote safety belt usage among drivers.

The soft launching of the campaign was held at the Bunut Petrol Station by the Managing Director of Brunei Shell Marketing, Pengiran Haji Yasmin bin Pengiran Haji Mohammad. Wearing a safety belt can increase motorists’ chance of surviving a crash by 40 percent.