HIS Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), yesterday chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Council for Brunei Vision 2035.

In a sabda during the meeting held at the West Wing Conference Room of the PMO building, His Royal Highness, who is also Chairman of the Supreme Council for Brunei Vision 2035, said His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has consented for the formation of the council, which is envisaged to support the implementation of endeavours by various government agencies in realising the national vision’s goals and ensuring its success in a systematic and intensive manner.

His Royal Highness congratulated all members of the newly formed Supreme Council, comprising several cabinet ministers and deputy ministers and expressed hope that they will concertedly collaborate in contributing ideas, as well as sharing experiences and unified resolutions towards the holistic achievement of the national vision’s goals as desired by His Majesty.

His Royal Highness was earlier greeted on arrival by Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim, Minister of Finance II at the PMO, and Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar, Minister of Energy at the PMO. Both ministers are co-deputy chairman of the council.

According to a press release from the PMO, the agenda of the council’s first meeting, among other things, touched on the briefing on the initial review of the national vision, as well as governance structure and terms of reference of the council. The way forward for the Supreme Council for Brunei Vision 2035 was also discussed.

One of the council’s roles is to ensure that strategies and policies relating to the national development agenda are coordinated at the highest level in a more systematic manner, where issues and challenges to lead the country towards the Brunei Vision 2035 can be continuously addressed.

Launched in January 2008 by His Majesty, the national vision aspires to have the Sultanate recognised everywhere for the accomplishments of its well-educated and highly skilled people, quality of life, as well as dynamic and sustainable economy, whilst upholding loyalty to His Majesty and the nation, belief in Islam and traditional tolerance and social harmony.

Towards achieving this vision, several national strategies have been developed and implemented in various fields including education, economy, security, institutional development, local business development, infrastructure development, social security and environment. - Borneo Bulletin (9 October 2014)