Brunei Darussalam’s Legislative Council (LegCo) has been accepted as an official member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) after the Meeting of the Governing Council for the IPU convened and approved the application. The acceptance of Brunei Darussalam as the 183 member of the IPU marks a historic moment for the Sultanate, as the unanimous adoption of the resolution signifies Brunei Darussalam’s formal acceptance into the world’s oldest and largest inter-parliamentary organisation.

The formal accession of the LegCo was formalised at the 151st Assembly of the IPU in Geneva, Switzerland. In his acceptance speech, Speaker of the Legislative Council Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Dato Setia Haji Mohamed Taib emphasised that the LegCo’s membership represents a historic milestone in realising the long-standing aspiration to be part of the global inter-parliamentary community.

He underlined the importance of parliamentary diplomacy and cooperation in addressing the increasingly complex global challenges and reaffirmed the LegCo’s commitment to contribute constructively to IPU’s objectives in promoting peace, good governance and sustainable development at the international level.

The Brunei Darussalam LegCo delegation attending the IPU’s 151st Assembly is led by Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman.

He is accompanied by LegCo members Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kays Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman and Yang Berhormat Zainol bin Haji Mohamed and Permanent Representative of Brunei Darussalam to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland Dayangku Mazlizah binti Pengiran Haji Mahalee.

The 151st Assembly of the IPU and Related Meetings is held from Monday until tomorrow in Geneva, Switzerland.

It will also convene several sessions, including the assembly, general debate and standing committee meetings.

(News source: Borneo Bulletin)