His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade and His Excellency Somsavat Lengsavad, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Saturday co-chaired the Inaugural Meeting of the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation between Brunei Darussalam and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic at the  Balai Penghadapan, Bukit Kayangan. 

Soon after the meeting, His Royal Highness and His Excellency discussed matters of bilateral interest and ways of enhancing various cooperation between the two countries.

Later, His Royal Highness and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Zariah, hosted a luncheon at the Balai Penghadapan, Bukit Kayangan for His Excellency and Mdm. Bounkongmany Lengsavad.

Also present at the luncheon were Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz.

In the afternoon, His Royal Highness and His Excellency signed the “Agreed Minutes of the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation between Brunei Darussalam and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic”.  His Royal Highness and His Excellency later signed the Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital.  The agreement will enhance economic cooperation between Brunei Darussalam and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

Later in the afternoon, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic officiated at the new Lao Chancery Building at Jalan Kebangsaan.

The Ambassador of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, His Excellency Doctor Bounthong Vongsaly in his welcoming remarks said the building of the Chancery Office is a very fruitful result and smooth implementation of the agreement between both countries on the Reciprocal Exchange of Land for the Construction of Diplomatic Premises concluded in April 2003 in Vientiane.

His Excellency Mr. Somsavad Lengsavath and the Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Pehin Dato Seri Paduka Lim Jock Seng together officially opened the new embassy building.  Construction of the new chancery began in March last year and was completed last February.

Brunei Darussalam and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic established bilateral diplomatic relations in 1995.  The Lao People’s Democratic Republic opened its embassy in the country in 1999.

Language is a national heritage and treasure.  Its development links closely with the enhancement of knowledge of the user.  Language is created through means of thoughts and creativity resulting in new forms of aspects of communication.  Past decades used Jawi writing in the Malay Language and influenced the Malay race during those times.

The Minister of Religious Affairs laid the emphasis, Saturday when he officiated at the opening of a Language Premier Forum on “Megah dan Setia Bahasa”.  According to Pehin Dato Seri Utama Doctor Ustaz Haji Awang Mohd. Zain, the arrival of Islam to the Malay world brought with it Jawi writing based on the calligraphy of the Al-Quran.  Both aspects created history in South East Asia in particular and other territories as well.

The Acting Director of the Language and Literature Bureau, Doctor Mataim bin Bakar chaired the forum.  The gathering discussed the survival in the function of the Malay Language that is increasingly being edged out today.  The forum’s panel comprised Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia and Indonesia.

A member of the panel, the Vice Chancellor of Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Dato Paduka Doctor Haji Ismail stressed that each person of diverse ethnics need language as a means of communicating with one another.  Such features, he said, is similar with the usage of the Malay Language in which the identity of a Malay race is reflected from.

The second speaker, the Chief Executive of the Yayasan Karyawan Malaysia, Dato Doctor Haji Hassan Ahmad noted that every nationality loves its own language.  He cited France and Japan, two nations that prioritised their national languages rather than English.  Both countries found that they could think more cohesively and creatively not only in the aspects of their daily lives but also in national developments and international communications.

In his opinions, the Chief of the Language Centre of the Republic of Indonesia, Doctor Dendy Sugono reiterated that over the centuries, the Malay Language has played an important role in connecting the Malay race.  The Malay Language has become Indonesia’s identity towards civilization creating its culture and arts.

The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Retired Major General Pehin Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Mohamad was present at the session in his capacity as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the 22nd National Day Celebrations of Brunei Darussalam. Organised by the Language and Literature Bureau, the forum was held at the International Convention Centre in Berakas.

The Second ASEAN-China ICT Ministerial Forum has ended with fruitful outcomes. Among other things, the gathering resulted in a joint statement which addresses the common understanding in moving the ICT development forward.

Attending the forum in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, was the Minister of Communications, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Haji Abu Bakar.  During the Ministerial Forum, the Pehin highlighted that the successful implementation of the Beijing Declaration was extremely important to complete what ASEAN and China had initiated.  The Minister also urged senior officials from both sides to have further discussions to develop relevant projects such as one that would lead to the building of the ASEAN-China Information Superhighway in a bid to promote information flow among countries.  The Pehin further urged to continue building momentum of ASEAN-China cooperation to promote mutual economic stability, growth and mutual prosperity in the region.

The Joint Ministerial Statement at the end of the forum highlighted that a number of workshops have been organised in China covering areas in capacity building, universal services and information superhighway.  The statement further noted that more than ten activities and events are being planned this year.  ASEAN and China ICT Ministers have agreed to exchange views and experiences in migration of PSTN to NGN, enhancement of rural communications and Internet governance.  They also agreed that studies may be conducted on e-commerce and e-government, regional standards and MRSs for telecom equipment certification and ICT expertise certification.  The two-day forum in Pulau Pinang began Friday.  

The Minister of Communications and his delegation that included the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dato Paduka Haji Muhammad Yusof bin Haji Muhd. Hassan and three senior officials returned home Saturday.  Brunei Darussalam will host the 6th ASEAN Telecommunications and IT Ministerial Meeting in September this year.

Inline with this year’s World Earth Day with the theme “Reuse, Reduce and Recycle”, the Department of Environment, Park and Recreation has given attention and recognition to the formation of Ecology and Environment Clubs initiated by colleges and school in the country.

According to the Director of the Environment, Park and Recreation Department, Awang Haji Mohammad Zakaria, his department will cooperate and support colleges and schools to facilitate the implementation of the programme and environmental activities in order to development the Ecology Club.  It is hoped this will provide awareness and instill the attitude of cooperation in maintaining and managing the environment especially among the school students and teachers as well as the public in general.

The Minister of Development, Pehin Dato Paduka Haji Abdullah launched the college and school Eco Club, Saturday, in conjunction with World Earth Day 2006.  To date, a total of five colleges and schools have already formed their Ecology and Environment Club with the project on promoting the practice of reducing, reusing and recycling waste. Various activities have been arranged to mark World Earth Day.  These include cleaning campaigns and workshops on cutting down solid wastes in schools and the community.