Marcos to Sultan Bolkiah: Nations must unite vs. tensions, global woes

STRONGER TIES. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (left) meets with His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah at the Istana Nurul Iman on Tuesday (May 28, 2024) to strengthen the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam. The President is on a two-day state visit to Brunei upon Sultan Bolkiah’s invitation. (PCO Photo)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in his bilateral meeting with His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah of Brunei on Tuesday, emphasized the need for nations to stand united in the face of global challenges, such as climate change and geopolitical tensions.

During the meeting, Marcos cited the need for the two countries to unite amid the changing regional and global landscape.

“The landscape of our region and of the world is changing in fundamental ways. The challenges brought by climate change, environmental degradation, and geopolitical tensions find it necessary for nation-states to cooperate more closely and more effectively,” Marcos said during the meeting, as quoted by a Presidential Communications Office (PCO) news release.

“I am therefore honored to discuss the state of our countries’ relations, as well as exchange views on regional and international developments with the world’s longest-reigning current monarch and the longest-serving current head of state.”

Marcos is visiting Brunei upon Sultan Bolkiah’s invitation.

Also on Tuesday, the two leaders witnessed the signing of agreements on key areas, such as tourism, agriculture, and maritime cooperation to further strengthen the four-decade-old ties of the two countries.

During his meeting with the Sultan, the President fondly recalled the time when his father, the late President E. Marcos Sr., visited Brunei in the early days of the bilateral relationship with the Sultanate in 1984.

He also thanked the Sultan for the warm welcome accorded to him and the Philippine delegation.

Marcos also acknowledged Brunei’s assistance to the Philippines, especially during the early days of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic when it donated test kits and vaccines to the country, and the help it extended to the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda and Typhoon Odette.

Likewise, the President also thanked Brunei for its help to the Philippines during the oil crisis in the 1970s.

Sultan Bolkiah, meanwhile, thanked Marcos for accepting his invitation to visit Brunei, noting that the latter’s state visit is customary to both countries in strengthening their friendship and ties.

“I’m looking forward to further enhancing our friendship in areas of future interest, which I believe will greatly benefit our countries and people,” the Sultan said.

On the second and last day of Marcos’ state visit to Brunei on Wednesday, he will meet with the Sultanate’s energy sector.

He will cap his visit with a state banquet at the Istana Nurul Iman, the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei.