Regional challenges that came under attention, especially the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sustainable development, require regional cooperation to resolve it. This is in line with the global call to renew the determination to build a strong, sustainable, and inclusive recovery and to take decisive action together as articulated at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in July 2021. This was underlined by Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd Daud, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office at the ASEAN Ministerial Dialogue on Accelerating Actions to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs that was held via video conference.
At the closed session, Yang Berhormat shared views on attaining the SDGs while at the same time realising the ASEAN Community Vision 2025. The Minister stated that notwithstanding the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, Brunei Darussalam’s efforts to further strengthen SDGs implementation have been unwavering since the submission of the first Voluntary National Review back in 2020. In the context of implementation, Brunei Darussalam maintains the Whole-of-Nation approach to tying sustainability with day-to-day management. This was driven by the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework to emerge stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic and complement the respective efforts of the five critical dimensions of the 2030 Agenda. Yang Berhormat added that Brunei Darussalam was pleased that such open dialogue would be held after the closed session, and looked forward to a fruitful discussion.
Source: Radio Television Brunei