By consent of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, a special announcement by the Prime Minister’s Office was aired on Tuesday, 23 Rejab 1447 corresponding to 13th January 2026. The special announcement was joined by Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Retired Major General Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yusof, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister of Defence; Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman, Minister of Religious Affairs, and Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Haji Mohamad Isham bin Haji Jaafar, Minister of Health. The special announcement began with the Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister of Defence.

News courtesy of Radio Television Brunei
Photo courtesy of InfoFoto

News courtesy of Radio Television Brunei
Photo courtesy of InfoFoto

The Embassy of Qatar in Brunei Darussalam held a Reception in conjunction with Qatar National Day Celebration. The ceremony was held at the Royal Berkshire Hall, Tarindak D’Polo and Riding Club, Jerudong, 18th December night.

Representing the government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam was Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Doctor Awang Haji Mohd. Amin Liew bin Abdullah, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister of Finance and Economy. Also present was His Excellency Abdullah Hamad Ali Al Adham Al Marri, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Qatar to the country. This year marks more than three decades of diplomatic relations between the two countries.​

News courtesy of Radio Television Brunei
Photo courtesy of InfoFoto

Energy transition, in Brunei Darussalam’s context, goes beyond adding renewables. It is about the responsible and strategic integration of traditional oil and gas with cleaner energy sources to sustain economic growth, safeguard energy security, and fulfil climate commitments. This was stressed upon by the Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister of Defence at the opening of the 15th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Energy Ministerial Meeting, APEC EMM, which took place in Busan, Republic of Korea on the 27th and 28th of August. Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Retired Major General Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof also explained, this balanced approach reflects Brunei’s unique energy landscape and its determination to transition towards a low-carbon future. As part of this effort, the country is targeting a 30 per cent renewable share in total power generation capacity by 2035 and is advancing the development of its largest solar photovoltaic project – a 30 Megawatt plant slated for completion by 2026.

The Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister of Defence in the second thematic session of the meeting highlighted that a modern, resilient, and flexible power grid is fundamental to energy security and a successful energy transition. Also underscored was the need for coordinated policies, infrastructure upgrades, and enabling environments for public- private collaboration to address challenges such as increasing demand, renewable intermittency, and aging grid systems. The 15th APEC EMM endorsed Joint Ministerial Statement was part of this year’s deliverables.

News courtesy of Radio Television Brunei