Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah meeting the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York. - INFOFOTO
NEW YORK: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah on Monday (Sept 23) met with the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and with the Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu.
During the meeting with the UN secretary-general, the monarch highlighted that Brunei Darussalam has benefitted extensively from this membership and emphasises its steadfast commitment to the multilateral system through peacekeeping missions and initiatives on poverty and education.
The UN’s support has been beneficial for all Asean member states, said the sultan, adding that Asean has taken concrete steps in realising its community-building efforts with Dialogue Partners including welcoming Timor-Leste’s admission into Asean.
Diplomatic solutions to the political situation in Myanmar, guided by the Five Point Consensus was also raised by the sultan.
The Sultan with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu. - INFOFOTO
The monarch said Brunei Darussalam remains committed to continue working closely with the secretary-general and the UN to further develop cooperation in the coming years.
Meanwhile, during the bilateral meeting with the Kosovo president, the sultan welcomed Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu and her delegation to Brunei Darussalam for a state visit from Dec 2-3.
Since diplomatic ties was established in 2017, Brunei Darussalam and Republic of Kosovo have maintained warm and friendly relations, notably education cooperation through scholarship programmes awarded to 14 Kosovan students since 2001.
The monarch welcomed more Kosovan students to pursue their studies under Brunei Darussalam government scholarships to foster greater friendship and understanding among youth.
In addition, Brunei’s financial contributions through the 2000 Tabung Insaniah Kosovo have helped to fund scholarships for Kosovan students and an orphanage, as well as build a school and mosques.
The sultan emphasised Brunei Darussalam’s commitment to promote enduring peace and stability in Kosovo under the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). He and the president also discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest including the developments in Russia and Ukraine; the situation in Palestine-Israel as well as major powers relations. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
