The 15th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Caucus Meeting convened for the second day, to deliberate and approve the meeting’s draft report.

The meeting was followed with the closing ceremony presided by Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Mohammad Yusof, Member of the Legislative Council (LegCo) as Chairperson of the 15th AIPA CAUCUS.

The meeting concluded with a transfer of office ceremony to the next host country, Cambodia. The closing ceremony ended with the signing of the 15th AIPA Caucus Meeting report by Heads of the Parliamentary Delegations.

The Opening Ceremony of the 15th AIPA Caucus Meeting was held yesterday, where Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Dato Setia Haji Mohamed Taib, Speaker of the LegCo highlighted ASEAN’s status as the world’s fastest growing Internet market, adding that ASEAN’s digital economy is expected to grow exponentially. The continued growth of ASEAN’s digital economy will in turn create significant opportunities for its people, spur innovation, enhance connectivity and foster economic growth.

Recognising the immense economic potential that can be reaped from digital economy, Brunei Darussalam has also formulated its own Digital Economy Masterplan 2025, which among others has identified strategies, enablers and key success measures to develop the digital economy.

Initiatives such as the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) and the Bandar Seri Begawan Roadmap are important steps to strengthen cybersecurity and cyber resilience to mitigate the risks and ensure a safe and secure digital economy for all.

Meanwhile, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan said recognising the opportunities and challenges of technological transformation, Brunei Darussalam has been focusing its efforts on strengthening inclusive digital strategies to maximise societal and economic benefits while managing digital security and cybersecurity.

The opening ceremony was followed by the First Plenary Session chaired by Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan. The presentation of Country Reports by AIPA Member Parliaments on the Implementation of Resolutions Adopted at the 44th AIPA General Assembly was also held.

While the Second Plenary Session discuss and present of the National Reports by AIPA Member Parliaments. The event coincided with the Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between AIPA and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA).

The meeting spanning two days took place at The Empire Brunei focused on the theme ‘Strengthening ASEAN Cyber Resilience through Parliamentary Cooperation: Towards a Future of Safe and Vibrant Digital Economy’.