AGP Executive Report

Education: Brunei teacher Shahrifah binti Haji Mohd Shahlan shared student-led innovations at an international forum, including food-ordering and landslide-warning apps; her students have built 30 prototypes. Haze: Smoke from Indonesian fires is affecting Brunei and neighbours, disrupting daily life and raising health concerns. Calls are growing for stronger regional action to prevent fires and hold polluters accountable. Brunei–China Ties: A Bandar Seri Begawan dialogue marked 35 years of diplomatic relations, with discussions on cultural exchange, people-to-people links, AI and communications. Culture & Sport: Designer Farhanna Pura showcased a look blending Thai silk with Bruneian fibres, while athletes Aida Syazwana Izzati and Kasyful Asymawi won 1,500m and 800m gold at SuperCak Kuala Lumpur. Skills: Education Minister Romaizah Haji Mohd Salleh urged TVET graduates to use AI to boost their abilities, not replace human skills.

China-Brunei Ties: A Bandar Seri Begawan dialogue marked 35 years of diplomatic relations, with discussions on cultural exchange, people-to-people connections, AI and communications. Brunei Design: Farhanna Pura showcased the country’s heritage at an international Thai silk exhibition, blending the fabric with local Brunei fibres. Athletics: Aida Syazwana Izzati and Kasyful Asymawi won gold in the 1,500m and 800m at SuperCak Kuala Lumpur, both setting a strong example for young athletes. Education: Education Minister Romaizah Haji Mohd Salleh urged nearly 1,100 IBTE graduates to use AI to build their skills, not replace them.

China-Brunei Cultural Ties: A Bandar Seri Begawan dialogue marking 35 years of diplomatic relations brought together nearly 100 participants to discuss cultural exchange, people-to-people connections, AI and communications. Brunei on the Fashion Stage: Designer Farhanna Pura showcased a creation combining Thai silk with local Brunei fibres at an international exhibition in Bangkok. Regional Arts: Brunei performers are among those taking part in Kuching’s Malam Budaya Se-Borneo, opening Oct. 23 as part of a free craft festival featuring traditional textiles, weaving and beadwork. Local Achievement: Bruneian runners Aida Syazwana Izzati and Kasyful Asymawi won gold in the 1,500m and 800m at SuperCak Kuala Lumpur, with Aida setting a personal best. Education: Education Minister Romaizah Haji Mohd Salleh urged IBTE graduates to use AI to support their skills, not replace them. Reading and Libraries: Canada donated a collection of Canadian literature to Brunei’s National Library.

Travel: Brunei is among the countries whose citizens can visit Hong Kong visa-free for up to 90 days, according to the city’s newly released eligibility list. Regional Culture: Kuching’s free Borneo Craft Festival runs through Nov. 1, showcasing traditional crafts, food and performances, including artists from Brunei. Haze Alert: Forest fires in Indonesia are sending smoke across the region, including Brunei; calls are growing for ASEAN countries to coordinate action as the haze threatens health and daily life. Education: Education Minister Romaizah Haji Mohd Salleh urged IBTE graduates to use AI to build their skills and workplace readiness, not replace human knowledge. Reading: Canada has donated a collection of Canadian literature to Brunei’s National Library.

Regional Culture: Kuching’s free Sarawak Borneo Craft Festival runs Oct. 23 to Nov. 1, with craft stalls, local food and performances from Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei and Kalimantan. Education: Brunei’s Education Minister urged IBTE graduates to use AI to build skills and meet industry needs, not replace human knowledge. Travel: Brunei citizens are among the nationalities eligible for visa-free visits of up to 90 days in Hong Kong; Brunei travellers are also exempt from Malaysia’s Digital Arrival Card requirement. Young Bruneians: Brunei’s under-15 footballers will face Guyana at the inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan, with their match set for Oct. 26. Arts and Reading: Canada has donated a collection of Canadian literature to Brunei’s National Library.

Youth Football: Brunei’s U15 team is set to face Guyana on Oct. 26 at the inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan. Creative Industries: Malaysia has proposed a joint high-level committee with Indonesia to speed up creative-sector cooperation, alongside two new industry agreements. Travel: Malaysia’s Digital Arrival Card exemptions include Brunei General Certificate of Identity holders and travellers using the Brunei-Malaysia Frequent Traveller Facility. Education: Brunei’s education minister urged IBTE graduates to use AI to build their skills, not replace human knowledge and capability. Libraries: Canada donated 101 books across 64 titles to Brunei’s national library collection, including children’s literature, poetry and works by Indigenous authors.

Creative Industries: Malaysia is proposing a high-level committee with Indonesia to speed up creative-sector cooperation, following two new agreements between Malaysian and Indonesian organisations. Education & Skills: Brunei’s Education Minister urged nearly 1,100 IBTE graduates to use AI to build their skills and efficiency, not replace human knowledge. Regional Haze: Forest fires in Indonesia have disrupted flights in Singapore and Malaysia, while smoke has also affected Brunei and other neighbours. Culture & Travel: Sarawak will host a six-month Egyptian mummies exhibition at the Borneo Cultures Museum from July 2027, offering Bruneians a major regional cultural attraction. Libraries: Canada donated 101 books by Canadian authors to Brunei’s national library, including children’s literature, poetry and works by Indigenous writers.

Healthy Living: WHO will bring public-health expertise to Malaysia’s Lifestyle Medicine Conference on Oct. 24–26, with its representative for Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore delivering the keynote on preventive care and healthy ageing. Skills and Education: Brunei Education Minister Romaizah Haji Mohd Salleh urged nearly 1,100 IBTE graduates to use AI to build their skills and meet industry needs, not replace human knowledge. Culture Nearby: Sarawak’s Borneo Cultures Museum will host a six-month Egyptian mummies exhibition from July 2027, featuring artefacts and human remains more than 5,000 years old. Books and Belonging: Canada donated 101 books by Canadian writers to Brunei’s national library, including Indigenous works, children’s titles and classics such as Anne of Green Gables.

Regional Culture: Sarawak plans a six-month exhibition of 5,000-year-old Egyptian artefacts and mummies at the Borneo Cultures Museum from July 2027. Brunei is among the region’s major visitor markets. Education: Brunei’s education minister urged nearly 1,100 IBTE graduates to use AI to build skills and workplace efficiency, not replace human knowledge. Books & Libraries: Canada donated 101 books across 64 titles to Brunei’s Language and Literature Bureau for the national library, including children’s books, poetry and works by Indigenous authors. Travel: Brunei is among 42 countries whose citizens can travel to the United States for business or tourism without applying for a visa in advance. Halal: Brunei and Singapore signed an agreement to recognise each other’s halal certificates, supporting cross-border trade in halal products.

Education: Brunei’s Education Minister Romaizah Haji Mohd Salleh urged nearly 1,100 IBTE graduates to use AI to build their skills and workplace efficiency, not replace human knowledge and ability. Libraries & Literature: Canada donated 101 books spanning 64 titles to Brunei’s national library collection, including works by Indigenous authors and Canadian classics, through a new Maple Corner at Muara Library. Halal & Culture: Brunei and Singapore have signed an agreement to recognise each other’s halal certificates, strengthening cooperation on standards for halal products.

Travel: Brunei citizens are among nationals of 42 countries eligible to visit the United States for business or tourism without applying for a visa in advance. The waiver is based on citizenship; permanent residency alone does not qualify. Reading & Culture: Canada has donated 101 books by 64 authors, illustrators and academics to Brunei’s National Library. The collection includes Indigenous voices, children’s books, poetry and classics such as Anne of Green Gables. Halal: Brunei and Singapore have agreed to recognise each other’s halal certificates, a move that may ease certification for businesses serving both markets. Para Badminton: Brunei’s Zainab Mohamed faced India’s Thulasimathi Murugesan at the Asian Para Games, losing 21-2, 21-2 in the women’s SU5 singles.

Para Badminton: Brunei’s Zainab Mohamed lost to India’s Thulasimathi Murugesan, 2-21, 2-21, in the SU5 event at the Asian Para Games. Reading & Culture: Canada donated 101 books across 64 titles to Brunei’s national library, including fiction, children’s books, poetry and works by Indigenous authors. Halal Standards: Brunei and Singapore have signed an agreement to recognise each other’s halal certificates, easing certification across the two markets. Documentary Heritage: Brunei joined an Asia-Pacific UNESCO seminar in Jakarta focused on preserving valuable documentary records and strengthening regional expertise.

Library & Literature: Canada has donated 101 books by 64 authors to Brunei’s National Library, including children’s titles, Indigenous writing and classics such as Anne of Green Gables. The collection is available through a new Maple Corner at Muara Library. Regional Heritage: Brunei joined 15 other Asia-Pacific countries at a UNESCO workshop in Jakarta on preserving documentary heritage and preparing records for international recognition. Halal Cooperation: Singapore and Brunei have agreed to recognise each other’s halal certificates, aiming to ease trade and strengthen consumer confidence. Para Badminton: Brunei’s Zainab Mohamed lost to India’s Thulasimathi Murugesan in the Asian Para Games women’s singles, 21-2, 21-2.

Para-Badminton: Brunei’s Zainab Mohamed lost to India’s Thulasimathi Murugesan in the women’s SU5 singles at the Asian Para Games, 21-2, 21-2. Library and Literature: Canada donated 101 books by Canadian authors to Brunei’s National Library, including Indigenous writing, children’s books, poetry and fiction. Regional Heritage: Brunei joined an Asia-Pacific UNESCO workshop in Jakarta focused on preserving documentary heritage and preparing records for international recognition. Halal Cooperation: Singapore and Brunei signed an agreement recognising each other’s halal certificates, aiming to simplify trade and build consumer confidence. Travel: Bruneians remain eligible for US visa-free business and tourism visits under the Visa Waiver Programme; Taiwan has also extended visa-free entry for Bruneians until July 31, 2027. Haze: Indonesian wildfires have sent smoke across the region, affecting Brunei and prompting health concerns in neighbouring countries.

Libraries & Literature: Canada has donated 101 books by Canadian writers to Brunei’s national library collection, including children’s books, poetry and works by Indigenous authors. The books will be available through a new Maple Corner at Muara Library. Halal Cooperation: Singapore and Brunei have agreed to recognise each other’s halal certificates, aiming to make trade easier and give consumers confidence in certified products. Heritage: Brunei is among the Asia-Pacific countries represented at a UNESCO workshop in Jakarta on preserving documentary heritage and preparing records for international recognition. Regional Haze: Smoke from Indonesian fires has spread to Brunei and other neighbours, renewing concerns about air quality and the health effects of persistent haze. Travel: Taiwan has extended visa-free entry for Bruneian citizens until July 31, 2027.

Library & Literature: Canada has donated 101 books across 64 titles to Brunei’s National Library, including children’s books, poetry and works by Indigenous authors. A new Maple Corner at Muara Library will showcase the collection. Haze & Health: Smoke from Indonesian fires has spread across Brunei and neighbouring countries, raising health concerns as Singapore steps up protections against the pollution. Halal Cooperation: Brunei and Singapore have agreed to recognise each other’s halal certificates, aiming to ease trade and strengthen consumer confidence. Documentary Heritage: Brunei is among the Asia-Pacific countries taking part in a UNESCO workshop in Jakarta on preserving valuable historical records and preparing them for international recognition.