BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 14 November 2024 – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam, in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of Brunei Darussalam to ASEAN and the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC), hosted the ASEAN Project Development Training for Brunei Darussalam Government Officials from 12-14 November in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam.
This training was conducted as part of the implementation of the 4th ASEAN Development Fund (ADF) Work Plan.
Hajah Mardiana Haji Omar, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam, welcomed participants from various government agencies and expressed appreciation to ASEC for their ongoing partnership and support for the training programme.
She emphasised that the training, which builds on the success of the first workshop in 2018, reflects a shared commitment to accelerate efforts towards Brunei Darussalam’s regional aspirations, in line with the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam on the importance of regional and international cooperation.
Participants engaged in training focused on transforming concepts into successful regional projects, crafting funding proposals and gaining skills necessary for effective project execution. The training aimed to foster inter-agency cooperation, enabling Brunei Darussalam to present a unified voice within ASEAN.
A total of 56 Brunei Darussalam government officials from 15 line ministries and agencies across the three ASEAN Community Pillars participated in the training, which included presentations, exercises, group works, and panel discussions, led by the technical experts from ASEC on developing regional project proposals and managing ASEAN cooperation projects using a results-based management approach.
At the end of the training, participants developed and presented six regional project proposal drafts on: (1) The Establishment of the ASEAN Verified Information Hub (VIH); (2) Enhanced Funding and Resource Availability for Disaster Preparedness and Response in ASEAN; (3) Capacity Building for ASEAN Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Development; (4) Student Ambassador and Outreach Programme to Reduce Digital Scams in ASEAN; (5) ASEAN Youth Employment Empowerment Program (AYEEP); and (6) Empowering ASEAN Teachers through STEAM Education: Advancing Innovation, Economic Growth, and Global Competitiveness.
The training culminated in the awarding of certificates by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam, marking the successful completion of the course.
Pengiran Hairani Pengiran Haji Tajuddin, Director-General of ASEAN-Brunei Darussalam National Secretariat, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam, closed the training. She shared that she was deeply encouraged by the participant’s enthusiasm throughout the sessions, and their active engagement brought the training to life.
She acknowledged that participants have gained crucial insights into ASEAN Cooperation Projects and their diverse funding channels, explored the distinction between results-based and activity-based approaches, and are now equipped with the tools to craft compelling regional proposals that drive real change.
She expressed confidence that these learnings will prove invaluable to the participants to develop future projects within their respective Ministries. She concluded by thanking all parties involved and looked forward to seeing the impact of their future initiatives.
