Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

Alhamdullilahi Rabbil 'Alameen Wasaalatu Wassalaamu 'Ala Asyrafil Ambiae Walmursaleen,

Saidina Muhammadin Wa'alaa Aalihiee Wasahbihee Ajama'een

▸ ASEAN MTWG Leaders and Heads of Delegation,

▸ ASEAN Secretariat,

▸ Dialogue Partners, and Affiliated Representatives,

▸ Distinguished Delegates,

▸ Ladies and Gentlemen,

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Salam Sejahtera and A Very Good Afternoon

1. On behalf of the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, it is an honour and privilege to extend a warm welcome to you all to the 49th ASEAN Maritime Transport Working Group Meeting (49 MTWG).

2. [I’d like to begin by expressing my heartfelt condolences to the numerous loss of life, devastation and destruction caused by the storms, floods and landslides that have hit the region, including in Sabah, Malaysia; Bali, Indonesia and Tokyo, Japan.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and all those affected.]

Distinguished delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

3. This 49th MTWG Meeting marks the fourth and final time that Brunei Darussalam will serve as host to this Meeting in our capacity as Chair, and I would like to take this opportunity to commend the hard work that has been done and achieved in the past two years towards strengthening ASEAN maritime transport sector, including towards the realisation of the ASEAN Single Shipping Market (ASSM).

4. Allow me to thank all the delegates present here in Brunei Darussalam, [as well as acknowledge our delegates who are joining us virtually].  Your presence today is another firm show of your commitment towards achieving our mutual goal.

Distinguished delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

5. 2025 marks a significant year as we come to the conclusion of several key ASEAN documents.  As the year draws to a close, it also marks the beginning of a new era, as our Leaders adopted the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 during the 46th ASEAN Summit earlier this year, reaffirming the region’s commitment to building a resilient, innovative, dynamic, and people-centred ASEAN.  With the ASEAN Community and its people at its core, ASEAN continues to position itself as a region that is responsive and resilient to complex geopolitical and socio-economic environments, while continuing to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

6. As we near the conclusion of the Kuala Lumpur Transport Strategic Plan (KLTSP) 2016-2025, it is an opportune moment to reflect on our progress and chart a forward-looking path for the region’s transport future with the new ASEAN Transport Sectoral Plan (ATSP) 2026-2030.  The results of the End-Term Review of the KLTSP is crucial in setting the tone and ambition for the ATSP, both set to be adopted by the 31st ASEAN Transport Ministers (ATM) during its meeting later this year.  At the 59th ASEAN Senior Transport Officials Meeting (STOM) in May, we were pleased to note the overall implementation score of 4.18, including the Maritime Transport’s score of 4.03, highlighting the good progress in ASEAN’s transport sector.

7. Maritime transport, and by extension the role of this very Working Group, continues to be relevant in achieving regional connectivity and maritime development.  Contemporary issues such as green ships, green shipping corridors, and decarbonisation are proving to be key catalysts shaping the future direction of our maritime domain towards the advancement of a more resilient, sustainable, responsive, and innovative maritime industry.

8. This morning, you will have had an opportunity to partake in the Brunei Darussalam Maritime Week 2025 (BDMW), which is held in conjunction with this year’s World Maritime Day.  The theme of “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Action” highlights not just the unwavering global commitment to our oceans as vital to the world economy, but also our continued commitment to the region to forge actionable and tangible outcomes in ensuring the continued vitality of our oceans.

9. MTWG’s recent initiatives, particularly on ship waste management, and green ports and shipping, likewise demonstrates the region’s efforts and actions towards achieving this aspiration.  In light of this, I must highlight the numerous achievements of the MTWG in these recent years through the adoption of several guidelines aimed at facilitating and advancing a sustainable maritime industry, including on port digitalisation and automation, PPP and maritime safety information provision.  In this regard, I also look forward to the endorsement of the ASEAN Regional Strategy on Sustainable Ship Waste Management, adopted by the 59th STOM, by our Transport Ministers later this year.

Distinguished delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

​10. Before I conclude my remarks, please allow me to take this opportunity to once again extend my sincere appreciation and thanks to all ASEAN Member States, Dialogue Partners, Affiliates, and all delegates for your commitment, hard work, and continued contribution to this important endeavour.  My appreciation also extends to the ASEAN Secretariat for your steadfast support over the past two years, and beyond, of Brunei Darussalam’s chairmanship of the MTWG.  Your collective dedication and collaborative spirit are instrumental in advancing ASEAN’s shared vision, ensuring that our maritime sector remains a cornerstone in promoting peace, prosperity, and regional connectivity for the benefit of our people.

11. On this note, I wish all delegates meaningful deliberations and constructive exchanges over the next two days.  Let us continue to strive towards our collective aspirations and further strengthen ASEAN’s role in shaping the future of maritime transport in our region.

12. With that, I declare the 49th Meeting of the ASEAN Maritime Transport Working Group open.

Thank you.

Wabillahi Taufiq walhidayah wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.