Bandar Seri Begawan: Brunei Darussalam is committed to marine conservation and the sustainable use of ocean resources. Key initiatives include designating over 20 percent of the country’s sea area as a Marine Protected Area, anti-plastic campaigns, and a plastic bottle-free initiative. The matter was emphasised by the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism during the Third United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France. Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf Haji Metussin said that Brunei Darussalam also emphasised on data-driven marine governance approach through fish stock assessments and the use of artificial intelligence in coral reef monitoring.
According to Radio Television Brunei, with the theme, ‘Accelerating Action and Mobilizing All Actors to Conserve and Sustainably Use the Ocean”, the conference gathered global stakeholders committed to advancing ‘Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water’. During the conference, Brunei Darussalam also announced the upcoming International Forest to Reef Expedition and Conference, set to take place this month, as well as the plan to host the International Conference on Oceans in June 2026 to promote regional collaboration and innovation in marine governance.
Yang Berhormat also held a bilateral meeting with several international partners and related organisations, including the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water, Australia. Meanwhile, during the bilateral meeting between the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism with Professor Selina Stead, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Institute of Marine Science, the organisation expressed their interest in further expanding coral reef monitoring initiatives in Brunei Darussalam, including mangrove and seagrass ecosystem. The delegation was also joined by Awang Haji Mohammad Yusree bin Haji Junaidi, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism.