Yang Mulia Awang Haji Mohammad Nazri bin Haji Mohammad Yusof, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications, represented Brunei Darussalam at the 8^th ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN) Annual Meeting held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 9^th to 11^th September 2025.

The meeting was opened by Yang Berhormat Nga Kor Ming, Minister of Housing and Local Government of Malaysia, and chaired by Mr. Mohd Hazli bin Ahmad @ Adnan, Deputy Secretary-General (Sustainability and Strategic Planning) at the Ministry of Housing and Local Government of Malaysia.

Held under the theme “Fostering Stronger Cooperation Towards a Common Goal for Smart and Sustainable Urban Development in ASEAN,” the meeting endorsed the ASEAN Smart City Action Plan (ASCAP) 2026–2035, a regional framework that aligns ASEAN aspirations with national and local priorities to promote smart and sustainable growth in both urban and rural areas.

The meeting also reviewed the progress of initiatives under the ASCN Smart City Action Plan, where Brunei Darussalam shared its smart city journey which is embedded in the Digital Economy Masterplan 2025. Key highlights included the Digital Payment Hub (tarus), Digital Identity (BruneiID) and Gov.BN 2.0.

Since its establishment in 2018 with 26 cities, ASCN has expanded to 35 member cities across ASEAN, reflecting the region’s shared commitment to advancing smart and sustainable urban growth.

In parallel, Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of Korea held the 3^rd Joint Cooperation Committee Meeting to coordinate initiatives under the Memorandum of Understanding in the field of Smart City Development that was signed between the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications of Brunei Darussalam and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of the Republic of Korea in 28 May 2025. Among others, the meeting discussed various cooperation arrangements including planning of a Smart City Integrated Platform that aims to enhance urban management efficiency and improve citizens' quality of life through the integration of various urban data and services.