Brunei Darussalam Ratifies Agreement to Establish ASEAN Centre for Climate Change

Brunei darussalam: With the consent of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, the Prime Minister’s Office, through the Brunei Climate Change Office, announced the signing of the Instrument of Ratification for the Agreement to Establish the ASEAN Centre for Climate Change (ACCC). Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid, Minister of Development, signed the Instrument of Ratification as Brunei Darussalam’s representative to the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Environment (AMME).

According to Radio Television Brunei, the ACCC is an ASEAN regional initiative to establish a climate change centre in Brunei Darussalam. The Centre aims to strengthen regional cooperation among ASEAN Member States and international organizations, and publish policy recommendations to better address climate change. It seeks to contribute to a more coordinated and effective ASEAN region in addressing climate change alongside international partners while supporting the climate change policy and goals of ASEAN Member States, in both reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the future negative impacts of climate change.

As part of the ratification process, the Instrument of Ratification signed by the Minister of Development last April has been deposited with the ASEAN Secretariat, marking the final step for Brunei Darussalam to ratify the Agreement. The Agreement is currently in the process of being ratified by other ASEAN Member States. It will enter into force and allow the Centre to be fully established 60 days after the sixth ASEAN Member State deposits its Instrument of Ratification with the ASEAN Secretariat. Brunei Darussalam has also contributed 1.5 million U.S Dollars to fund the operations of the Centre for the first three years after its establishment. The Brunei Darussalam National Climate Change Council and the Brunei Climate Change Office will continue to play a key role in supporting the establishment of the ACCC and encourage other ASEAN Member States to ratify the Agreement to Establish the ACCC.