SABDA HRH ON THE OPENING OF THE 53RD SOUTHEAST ASIAN MINISTERS OF EDUCATION ORGANISATION [SEAMEO] – COUNCIL CONFERENCE [53RD SEAMEC]
ADDRESS BY
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE HAJI AL-MUHTADEE BILLAH IBNI HIS MAJESTY SULTAN HAJI HASSANAL BOLKIAH MU’IZZADDIN WADDAULAH, THE CROWN PRINCE AND SENIOR MINISTER AT THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
ON THE OCCASION OF
THE OPENING OF THE 53RD SOUTHEAST ASIAN MINISTERS OF EDUCATION ORGANISATION [SEAMEO] – COUNCIL CONFERENCE [53RD SEAMEC]
Venue:
INDERA SAMUDERA GRAND HALL THE EMPIRE BRUNEI
On:
Tuesday, 5th Muharram 1447 / 1st July 2025)
Assalamualaikum Warahmatullaahi Wabarakaatuh
Bismillah Hir Rahman Nir Rahim
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
All praises to Allah the Al-Mighty for His grace and mercy has enabled our presence for the 53rd Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) – Council Conference [53rd SEAMEC].
Foremost, I am pleased to warmly welcome Education Ministers, distinguished educational leaders and respected delegates of SEAMEO. Your presence is a powerful testament to our collective resolve and shared commitment to shaping a more resilient and unified, and a brighter future for Southeast Asia.
I commend SEAMEO’s enduring legacy and pivotal role in fostering regional cooperation in education, science, and culture. On this momentous occasion of its 60th anniversary, l extend my heartfelt congratulations and deepest appreciation for six decades of transformative leadership.
SEAMEO has consistently proven to be an exemplary leader of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity. It has been at the forefront in promoting regional cooperation, enhancing educational opportunities, building human capacity, and promoting mutual understanding among Southeast Asian nations, especially through its 26 regional centres of excellence and networks.
This unwavering commitment to quality education and human resource development, encompassing efforts in policy dialogue, capacity building, and innovative educational practices, has uplifted countless lives and strengthened the foundation of progress in our communities. With its rich history and profound expertise, I hope SEAMEO can continue to leverage on its unique position to drive impactful solutions, particularly in driving the ‘Greening Education’ agenda and contributing significantly to the three pillars of the ASEAN Community.
I am of the view that the theme for this year’s meeting – “Greening Education for a Sustainable Southeast Asia: Empowering Change through Collective Action” is highly relevant, and cannot come at a more appropriate time.
We are already experiencing pressing challenges including climate change affecting livelihoods and sustainable development within, and well beyond our region. These challenges underscore the critical role of education in sustainable development, aligning perfectly with SEAMEO’s commitment to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG).
I firmly believe that education is key for positive and transformative change. It is our responsibility to equip and empower our future generations with essential knowledge and skills to navigate and overcome these challenges. This requires the comprehensive integration of sustainability principles and practices across all aspects of education, including curricula, teaching methods, school operations, community engagement, and institutional culture to address the interconnected environmental, social, and economic challenges. This holistic approach is important if we were to truly address their interrelated complexities.
As a leading organisation, SEAMEO is at the forefront of impactful sustainable solutions. Its role has been crucial to ensure our region continues to flourish, remain competitive and resilient in the face of global dynamics. Thus, I urge all educators, policy makers and leveraging on the regional centers, to strengthen collaborative research, share experiences and evidenced-based findings towards innovation, and ensuring education policies are supported by rigorous research for sustainable development.
Today marks an important milestone, as we collectively reaffirm and strengthen our commitment to sustainable education. While paving the way forward, SEAMEO must take the lead to encourage and inspire others to partake in the collaborative effort for the benefit of all segments of society.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Brunei Darussalam, for one, is committed to the Greening Education Plan, which provides a roadmap for integrating sustainability into education. The plan will actively promote sustainable practices in our institutions of education, while also fostering responsibility towards our environment.
Together with Brunei Darussalam National Climate Change Policy (BNCCP), the Greening Education Plan reinforces our national aspiration to advance the UN SDGs. Achieving these goals require coherent policies, a well-structured framework and the collective will of our people.
In this regard, I commend our Education Ministry’s proactive stance to ensure that the educational sector is well-aligned with our over-arching national development and broader global sustainability agendas.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am pleased to see the long-standing commitments of all members to the organisation’s shared vision and mission. The continuity and effectiveness of SEAMEO across the region relies on a passionate and dedicated community to realise its goals. I wish everyone a fruitful and successful conference that will strengthen our deep collaborative spirit as we renew and re-affirm our collective commitments.
On behalf of His Majesty’s Government, I would like to once again congratulate SEAMEO on its 60th Anniversary and look forward to the conference’s productive and impactful outcomes towards meaningful development across the three key pillars of the ASEAN Community.
With the kalimah Bismillah Hir Rahman Nir Rahim, I hereby declare the 53rd SEAMEO Council Conference [SEAMEC], officially open. It is also my great pleasure to officially launch Brunei Darussalam Ministry of Education’s “Greening Education Plan for 2025 through 2035″.
Wabillahit Taufiq Wal-hidayah, Wassalamu ‘Alaikum Warahmatullaahi Wabarakaatuh.