BUSAN, SOUTH KOREA

HIS Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam joined fellow leaders of Southeast Asia and Korea in discussing issues vital to realising the ASEAN Community by 2015.

During their session at the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit yesterday, the leaders also discussed the strategic direction for ASEAN Community post-2015, with the cooperation and support of Korea as a strategic partner.

At the first session of the summit, His Majesty encouraged officials to continue their work under the ASEAN-Republic of Korea ICT Partnership Project to develop innovative and practical ways to use ICT to enhance the lives of the people.

His Majesty said developing knowledge and expertise in the ICT field has the potential to bring much economic benefit to the future of the region.

The ASEAN-Korea ICT Partnership Project is a collaborative plan between ASEAN and Korea, aimed at narrowing the information gap while strengthening competitiveness in ICT.

The project focuses on areas such as ICT infrastructure, new technology, capacity building, and ICT knowledge sharing.

Touching on the innovative and practical ways to use ICT to enhance the lives of the people, His Majesty said ASEAN-Korea relations play a part in strengthening the region’s current collaboration in the area of ICT and youth.

In terms of ICT, His Majesty acknowledged that Korea has established itself as a leader in the field of ICT.

For the last four years, Korea ranked as the top country in the ICT Development Index.

The monarch said that being top in the index was a remarkable achievement, which indicates the deep integration of ICT in its society, and demonstrates how readily accessible the Internet is to the public, particularly through extensive usage of mobile communication.

Speaking on youth, His Majesty said at the heart of its cooperation is the warm relationship shared by the people of ASEAN and Korea including the youths.

The trust and confidence that the youths have in one another is key to ensuring the sustainability of future cooperation.

Therefore, ASEAN and Korea should continue their commitment to nurture these relationships through the various exchange programmes, he said.

His Majesty would like to see the continuation of activities such as the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Youth Exchange Programmes, which would help the region further promote greater understanding and mutual respect amongst its people.

His Majesty is also encouraged by the progress of implementing the ASEAN–Republic of Korea Joint Declaration and hoped the officials will enhance their efforts to ensure its full implementation.

He extended his appreciation for the continued support from all of ASEAN’s dialogue partners, including Korea, which has helped realise its Community goals.

His Majesty hoped that this partnership will continue to deepen and strengthen as ASEAN looks beyond 2015.

His Majesty, in his titah also offered his condolences to Korea, Indonesia and Philippines on the sinking of a Korean fishing boat near Russian waters, and to the people of Philippines on the devastation brought by Typhoon Hagupit.

The Brunei Times