JOINT PRESS RELEASE
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM AND REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE
SIGN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
TO ENHANCE COOPERATION ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
28 September 2020
1 Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of Singapore today have further expanded the long-standing special relationship shared between both countries with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Social Development between The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports of Brunei Darussalam and The Ministry of Social and Family Development of the Republic of Singapore. The signing ceremony was conducted via video-conference.
2 The MoU constitutes the foundation to undertake practical collaborative and capacity building programmes, among others, through the sharing of best practices and exchange of information; as well as work attachments and training programmes on social work, social services and social protection pertaining to children, the elderly, women and persons with disabilities.
3 The MoU was signed by Pengiran Haji Mohd. Hasnan bin Pengiran Haji Ali Hassan, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports on behalf of the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Mr. Stanley Loh Ka Leung, Second Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social and Family Development on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Singapore. The signing was witnessed by His Excellency Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports of Brunei Darussalam and His Excellency Masagos Zulkifli bin Masagos Mohamad, Minister for Social and Family Development of the Republic of Singapore.
4 His Excellency Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports of Brunei Darussalam underlined that both Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports of Brunei Darussalam and the Ministry of Social and Family Development of the Republic of Singapore shared a similar vision to develop resilience in a caring and inclusive community, especially by bringing together collaborative work of the respective Governments and key partners, through the implementation of current and future programmes and initiatives.
5 Minister Aminuddin Ihsan expressed hope that through the implementation of the MoU, it would further strengthen the on-going cooperation especially in enabling both Ministries to work even closer together by building on each other’s best practices.
6 Minister Aminuddin Ihsan further highlighted that new areas of mutual interest can be further explored between the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports of Brunei Darussalam and the Ministry of Social and Family Development of the Republic of Singapore, especially in the shared commitment of countries to safeguard and ensure the well-being and welfare of its respective populations.
7 His Excellency Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for Social and Family Development of the Republic of Singapore underlined the importance of the MoU, as it served to further strengthen the long-standing and excellent relationship between Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of Singapore, and deepen the cooperation and friendship between the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports of Brunei Darussalam and the Ministry of Social and Family Development of the Republic of Singapore.
8 Minister Masagos highlighted that the MoU demonstrated the resolve of both Ministries to tap on each other’s experiences and best practices to build stronger and more resilient communities, and to ensure the vulnerable groups in respective countries were not left behind.
9 Minister Masagos also expressed appreciation for the opportunity for both Ministries to work together and welcomed the further exploration of new areas of mutual interest that would benefit both countries’ people.
10 Prior to the signing ceremony, both Ministers exchanged views on issues of mutual interest. In adopting and adapting to new norms following the COVID-19 pandemic, both Ministers also reiterated the importance to deepen and enrich this partnership into the future, particularly in ensuring the crucial areas of social services and social protection will continue to be strengthened for the long-term benefit of vulnerable groups in both Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of Singapore.
ISSUED BY
Ministry of Social and Family Development
Republic of Singapore
Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports
Bandar Seri Begawan
Brunei Darussalam