Speech of Guest of Honour

Asia-Europe Young Artists

Painting Touring Exhibition

Yang Mulia

Dato Paduka Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman, Brunei ASEF Governors

Permanent Secretary,  Ministry of Foreign Affairs  

 

Yang Mulia Haji Metassim bin Haji Jibah, Director of Museums Brunei,

Mr. Terence Tan, personal Representative of the Executive Director of ASEF,

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Assalamualaikum Warrahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

 I am delighted to be here to officiate at the Opening Ceremony of the Asia-Europe Young Artists’ Painting Touring Exhibition.  This Exhibition, I understand, is part of the Cultural Exchange Programme of ASEF, and is based on the competition organized by Asia-Europe Foundation ie ASEF in 2000 as a way to initiate a network of exchange between arts schools and art students from Asia and Europe.  I am glad that Brunei is able to offer itself as the final stop of this Exhibition and thus enable our people to enyoy the wonderful work of the young artists.

  I applaud ASEF for the effort in general to realize its Mission, which is to build bridges between the civil societies of Asia and Europe, with a view to build up a rich network of institutional linkages and personal ties between the two regions over time.  I believe, ASEF has been largely very successful.  To date, 120 projects have been completed and participated by 5,000 Asians and Europeans.  Many are still yet to be announced while others are being conceptualized.

 No doubt it is still a small number and has yet to reach its wider target but given its young age this is indeed a big achievement.  I am confident, with the continued support of ASEM member countries, institutions and the private sector in the two regions, ASEF can further realize its goal of bringing Asia and Europe closer in order to foster mutual understanding, mutual respects, much-needed exchanges and interaction and close cooperation in all spheres of Asian and European lives.

 Excellencies and distinguished guests

 Brunei Darussalam is one of the smallest members of ASEM.  But we have participated in many of its projects because we believe we can derive much benefits, direct and indirect, from those projects, not only for the individuals that are involved but also as a nation.

We will continue to support the work of ASEF and will, of course, continue to participate in as many projects as possible.  I am glad to say that the number of ASEM alumni in Brunei is growing, thus providing the networking, not only amongst the alumni in Brunei but also those in Europe n Asia.  As ASEF Governor of Brunei Darussalam it is a source of satisfaction for me to see our increasing participation in the various projects organized by ASEF on behalf of our two regions.  Particularly, I am pleased that ASEF put much emphasis on building bridges among the youths, our future leaders, who will not only inherit what we are doing today but hopefully will continue what we have started 5 years ago when ASEF was first established.  Faced with the rapid pace of globalisation, advancement in science and technology, ICT, and the complexities of international relations, I believe such networking at an early stage would be useful in creating worldwide understanding and cooperation amongst different nations and individuals.

 I feel privileged to be part of this process and I would like to thank the Director of Museums for his generosity in hosting this Exhibition and to his staff for their hard work and dedication.  And to all those present for your support.

 With the kalimah ‘Bismillahi Rahmani Rahim’ I officially open the Asia-Europe Young Artists’ Painting Touring Exhibition.

Thank you.

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