By: James Kon

The Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) partnered with the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) to conduct a gap analysis and verification of the national forest resources inventory project of Brunei Darussalam to obtain accurate baseline data on the Sultanate’s existing carbon stocks, in adherence to international standards.

During a courtesy call yesterday, ERIA President Tetsuya Watanabe met with Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin and discussed the collaboration extended by ERIA.

The efforts act as a tool for decision-making in formulating sustainable development practices, including climate change mitigation, which aligns with the Brunei Darussalam National Climate Change Policy in achieving emissions reduction goals and marks a significant step towards fostering sustainable environmental practices and contributing to global efforts in combating climate change.

The ERIA president also discussed collaboration in agriculture in paddy plantation and tourism, in line with the Action Roadmap for Sustainable Tourism Development in ASEAN, which is a long-term strategic plan for the region to attain sustainability objectives in the regional tourism industry.

Tetsuya Watanabe was accompanied by Deputy Director-General for ASEAN and East-Asian Affairs Daisuke Tsukao, senior advisor to the president on environmental issues Michikazu Kojima, executive secretary to the president and research associate Tomy Waskitho and special representatives from the Brunei Affairs of Economic Research Institute for ERIA Venkatachalam Anbumozhi and Okouchi Hiroshi.[*]

The ERIA delegation also paid a courtesy call on Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah as well as Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha to discuss digital strategy and new energy transformation.

This article was originally published in the Borneo Bulletin. Click here to see it: https://borneobulletin.com.bn/ministers-meet-eria-delegation-on-collaboration/

[*] Correction: Dr Venkatachalam Anbumozhi is ERIA's Director of Research Strategy and Innovation.