Brunei (Commonwealth Union)_ According to a statement from the Brunei Ministry of Defense (MinDef), the 19th Joint Defense Working Committee (JDWC) took place at Bolkiah Garrison, jointly organized by the Ministry of Defense (MinDef) and Australia’s Department of Defense. Accordingly, MinDef issued a statement to announce the event and the subsequent developments. Leading the committee were Haji Adi Ihram bin Dato Paduka Haji Mahmud, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Policy and Strategy) at the MinDef, and David Lewis, Assistant Secretary (Southeast Asia) International Policy Division of the Department of Defence of Australia.
The MinDef highlighted that the meeting served as a reaffirmation of the enduring and positive bilateral defense and military relationship between Brunei Darussalam and Australia. Discussions during the event centered around the progress made in bilateral defense cooperation and explored potential areas for future defense ties. Additionally, the participants exchanged perspectives on the evolving regional security dynamics and evaluated the ongoing co-chairmanship of the fourth cycle of the ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Group on Military Medicine.
The establishment of the JDWC between Brunei Darussalam and Australia was formalized through the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defense Cooperation on 10 May 1999 between the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and the Government of Australia. This MoU provided a platform for promoting closer defense ties and cooperation between the respective defense establishments and armed forces of the two nations. Its provisions encompassed various activities such as joint courses, training programs, military exercises, the exchange of security-related information, and visits between senior defense and military officials.
The bilateral relationship between Brunei and Australia is characterized by long standing and positive ties in the fields of defense, diplomacy, trade, and cultural exchange. These two nations have established a strong partnership based on mutual respect, shared values, and common interests. Over the years, they have actively engaged in various forms of cooperation, including defense collaborations, joint military exercises, and the exchange of information on matters pertaining to security. The Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation, signed in 1999, has served as a foundation for fostering closer relations between their respective defense establishments and armed forces. Through ongoing dialogue and cooperation, Brunei and Australia continue to deepen their bilateral ties and enhance regional stability and security in Southeast Asia.
