ON THE final day of the 21st Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) yesterday, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to attend the second session of the Leaders’ Retreat themed ‘APEC’s Vision of Connectivity in the Evolving Regional and International Architecture’, along with 20 other APEC leaders at the Sofitel Hotel in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia.

Prior to the second session, His Majesty and other APEC leaders participated in an official photo session.

During the session, leaders discussed the promotion of a connectivity plan in the Asia-Pacific to complement similar efforts in the existing regional and international architecture. They also deliberated on the long-term plan of an APEC framework for connectivity, consisting of three pillars – physical, institutional and people-to-people connectivities.

The leaders also exchanged views on integrating the region through the Multi-Year Plan on Infrastructure Development and Investment, which is an important feature to enhance physical connectivity.

In this regard, they committed to shape the strategic landscape of the region through a long-term plan that would accelerate physical, institutional, and people-to-people connectivity. This is in recognition of the increasing need for more efficient flow of goods, services, capital and people.

As part of their work to achieve the Bogor Goals by 2020 and the Yokohama Vision of “Bogor and Beyond”, APEC leaders aspire to achieve a comprehensively connected and integrated Asia-Pacific.

They envision a blueprint that would accelerate and encourage balanced, secure and inclusive growth, through means such as strengthening regional quality transportation network, reducing transaction costs, as well as making the region more competitive and cohesive. Towards this goal, APEC would implement specific measures as stated in the APEC Framework for Connectivity.

Accompanying His Majesty at the session were Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abd Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim, Minister of Finance II at the Prime Minister’s Office; Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II and Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar, Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office. - Borneo Bulletin (9 October 2013)