AGP Executive Report

Brunei–China Diplomacy: Chinese FM Wang Yi met Prince Abdul Mateen in Manila, calling China–Brunei ties a model for “large and small” nations and pointing to deeper cooperation in trade, energy, AI, maritime development, and people-to-people and cultural links. ASEAN Regional Moves: ASEAN granted Turkey full Dialogue Partner status, upgrading cooperation across political-security, economic, and socio-cultural areas. ASEAN Myanmar Review: ASEAN foreign ministers drafted plans to “comprehensively review” Myanmar’s five-point consensus implementation to end violence, with recommendations to be submitted to the November summit. Culture & Community in Brunei: A drone show launched the Imagine Drone Show Tour in Belait, blending technology with Brunei heritage and local performances. Brunei Lifestyle Spotlight: Brunei’s GSTC push highlights sustainable ecotourism ambitions, while local creators keep culture moving—henna entrepreneur Inked by Hope, coffee cafés like The Homey Café and Senses Café, and automotive storytelling platforms such as The Final Drive. LGBTQ+ Rights Debate: A Glasgow Games exhibition “Zero Flags Commonwealth” flags Commonwealth countries where homosexuality remains criminalised, including Brunei. Call for Applications: UNITAR Women’s Leadership programme opens for disaster risk reduction leadership training, with Brunei among encouraged applicants (deadline 21 Aug 2026).

ASEAN Diplomacy: ASEAN granted Turkey full Dialogue Partner status at the 59th Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila, opening wider cooperation across political-security, economic and socio-cultural areas. Regional Security & Trade: ASEAN foreign ministers are set to express alarm over renewed Middle East hostilities, with Iran and Strait of Hormuz shipping risks expected to dominate Manila talks. Brunei in the Spotlight: Brunei’s Belait District hosted the Imagine Drone Show Tour launch, using drones and local performances to showcase heritage and unity as the tour moves through the country. Community & Culture: Brunei’s homegrown tabletop game KUEHKU!® turns beloved kueh-mueh into a family-friendly card game, mixing laughs with local food stories. Lifestyle & Entrepreneurship: Brunei’s Feigrance BN highlights a heart-shaped solid perfume keychain concept built around self-care and emotion, while local cafés like The Homey Café and Senses Café keep growing Brunei’s coffee culture through community-first spaces. LGBTQ+ Rights Watch: A Glasgow Commonwealth Games exhibition, “Zero Flags Commonwealth,” spotlights Commonwealth countries where homosexuality remains criminalised, including Brunei.

Women & Climate Leadership: UNITAR is inviting 18+ applicants from Brunei and across Asia-Pacific (any gender) to apply for a Women’s Leadership in Disaster Risk Reduction programme ahead of World Tsunami Awareness Day 2026, with English and online access required; deadline is 21 Aug 2026. LGBTQIA+ Rights & Sports: Glasgow Commonwealth Games will host “Zero Flags Commonwealth,” a public exhibition spotlighting Commonwealth countries where homosexuality remains criminalised, including Brunei, with flags marked by mourning ribbons. ASEAN Diplomacy: ASEAN foreign ministers in Manila are set to “comprehensively review” Myanmar’s five-point consensus implementation, while also raising alarm over renewed Middle East hostilities, including the Iran conflict. Brunei Culture & Tech: A drone show launched in Belait as part of the Imagine Drone Show Tour, pairing technology with local heritage and performances. Brunei Lifestyle & Tourism: Brunei’s “Abode of Peace” push for sustainable tourism gains momentum via a GSTC certification initiative for ecotourism destinations. Local Creative Economy: Brunei continues to spotlight homegrown cafés and makers—from bagel and coffee culture to henna artistry and a tabletop kueh-themed card game—showing how everyday culture is turning into community businesses.

ASEAN Diplomacy in Manila: South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is set to fly to the Philippines for ASEAN-related ministerial meetings, aiming to deepen cooperation on energy, economic security, AI, culture, and crackdowns on online scams. Regional Security Watch: ASEAN foreign ministers are also expected to express alarm over renewed Middle East hostilities, with the Iran conflict likely to dominate talks and push calls for both sides to return to dialogue. Myanmar on the Agenda: ASEAN discussions in Manila are set to focus on normalising relations with Myanmar, as the bloc weighs how to bring the country back to the table amid ongoing violence. Brunei Culture & Tech: A drone show launched in Belait District kicks off a nationwide “Imagine Drone Show Tour,” blending technology with Brunei’s heritage and local performances. Local Lifestyle & Creativity: Brunei’s tabletop game KUEHKU!® turns beloved kueh-mueh into a family-friendly card game, while local cafés and creative entrepreneurs continue to spotlight community-first coffee culture.

Faith & Community: FABC opened its 12th Plenary Assembly in Jakarta, bringing bishops across Asia—including Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei (BCMSB)—to push dialogue, social engagement, and interfaith cooperation. Regional Diplomacy: ASEAN foreign ministers in Manila are set to express alarm over renewed Middle East hostilities, with Iran and wider escalation fears expected to dominate talks. Brunei Culture & Tech: A drone show launched in Belait District as part of the Imagine Drone Show Tour, blending technology with Brunei heritage and local performances. Lifestyle & Travel: Brunei’s “Abode of Peace” gets a boost with a GSTC-backed push for sustainable, ecotourism-focused recognition. Local Creativity: Brunei’s tabletop culture gets a homegrown hit with KUEHKU!®, turning beloved kueh into a family-friendly card game. Automotive Lifestyle: Karrus Automotive Group named Meguiar’s exclusive distributor for Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei, aiming to grow detailing education and community.

Commonwealth Games Culture: Athletes arriving in Glasgow for the 2026 Commonwealth Games were greeted with bagpipes, Highland dancers and mascot Finnie, with competitors sharing how the welcome party made them feel excited to experience other cultures. ASEAN Diplomacy: Southeast Asia’s foreign ministers meet in Manila to raise alarm over renewed fighting in the Middle East, especially the Iran conflict, and push for dialogue to avoid escalation. Brunei Tech & Heritage: A drone show launched the Imagine Drone Show Tour in Belait, blending technology with Brunei’s heritage and local performances, backed by the Chinese Embassy and Hengyi Industries. Brunei Lifestyle & Family Fun: Toyota Brunei’s Toyota Beribi weekend showcase brings test drives, food and lifestyle booths, plus rewards for selected models. Local Creativity Spotlight: Brunei’s henna entrepreneur Inked by Hope and the tabletop game KUEHKU!® both turn culture into everyday experiences—through personal art and family-friendly play. Regional Travel Updates: Taiwan extends visa-free entry for Brunei-linked travellers (via its New Southbound Policy review) and Russia publishes its visa-free entry list for 2026.

ASEAN Diplomacy: Southeast Asia’s top diplomats meet in Manila to flag alarm over renewed Middle East fighting, with Iran, plus Myanmar and South China Sea tensions, expected to dominate talks attended by US, China and Russia. Aviation & Defence: Exercise Pitch Black 2026 officially kicks off in Darwin, with aircraft and personnel from 20 nations including Brunei taking part in weeks of air-combat training. Brunei Culture & Community: A drone show launches the Imagine Drone Show Tour in Belait, blending technology with Brunei heritage and local performances. Local Lifestyle & Entrepreneurship: Brunei’s café scene gets fresh stories—from The Homey Café’s family-built coffee space to Senses Café’s community-first hospitality—while creative makers spotlight Feigrance BN (heart-shaped solid perfume keychains) and Inked by Hope (henna as art-led business). Family Fun at Home: KUEHKU!® turns Brunei’s kueh-mueh into a fast, family-friendly tabletop game with illustrated characters and Brunei food facts. Brunei Business Events: Toyota Beribi’s weekend Toyota Beribi showcase brings test drives, lifestyle booths and rewards for families. Regional Travel Notes: Taiwan extends visa-free entry for Brunei-linked travellers (via Philippines passport holders) and Cambodia lists visa-free entry rules for Brunei and other ASEAN neighbours.

Belait Community & Culture: A drone show lit up Belait on Saturday, launching the Imagine Drone Show Tour across Brunei, with organisers saying it blends technology, creativity, and local heritage through performances. Entrepreneurship & Family Lifestyle: Toyota Beribi’s Endless Experience at the Toyota Beribi showroom runs July 18–19 with test drives, food and lifestyle booths, and rewards up to BND6,000 for selected models. People-to-People Travel Links: Taiwan extended visa-free entry for Philippine passport holders for stays up to 14 days from Aug 1, 2026 to July 31, 2027, citing reciprocal ties under its New Southbound Policy. Local Creative Business: Feigrance BN spotlights a homegrown solid perfume keychain brand built around self-care and storytelling, while Brunei creatives also keep growing their café and art scenes—from The Homey Café to Senses Café and henna at Inked by Hope. Brunei Food Heritage, Played: KUEHKU!® turns Brunei’s kueh-mueh into a family tabletop card game, mixing laughs with fun facts about local culinary roots.

Brunei Lifestyle & Food Culture: Feigrance BN is turning everyday self-care into something personal, with its heart-shaped solid perfume keychains inspired by the founder’s belief that scent can comfort, lift mood, and help people pause. Local Creative Entrepreneurship: Inked by Hope spotlights Brunei’s henna scene through the journey of its founder Maleena, who leads a team of Bruneian women and blends traditional artistry with modern designs. Family-Friendly Community Spots: The Homey Café in Sungai Hanching was born from a family coffee passion and aims to be a warm gathering place built around connection, conversation, and memories. Brunei’s Playful Heritage: KUEHKU!® turns beloved kueh-mueh into a fast, family tabletop game, complete with fun facts and a wildcard Onde-Onde card that sparks laughs and chaos. Brunei Business & Events: Toyota Brunei’s “Endless Experience with Toyota Beribi” runs July 18–19 at the Toyota Beribi showroom, with test drives, food/lifestyle booths, and rewards up to BND6,000 on selected models. Regional Travel & People-to-People Links: Taiwan extends visa-free entry for Filipinos until July 31, 2027 (up to 14 days), and Cambodia lists visa-free access for Brunei and other Southeast Asian travellers with stay limits of 14 or 30 days. Brunei Spotlight in Regional News: Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor joins Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah’s 80th birthday celebrations in Bandar Seri Begawan, underscoring close Brunei–Sabah ties.

Brunei Culture & Lifestyle: Local creative entrepreneurship stays in the spotlight with Feigrance BN, a homegrown solid perfume brand built around self-care and “heart” storytelling, plus Inked by Hope, where UBD-trained artist Maleena turns linework art into contemporary henna for Brunei women. Food & Community: Coffee culture keeps growing through The Homey Café, started by a family trio after a birthday gathering sparked a dream of a “home” space for conversations, and Senses Café, a Serusop family-led café designed around warm hospitality and sensory experiences. Brunei Creativity in Play: KUEHKU!® brings Brunei’s kueh-mueh into a family-friendly tabletop card game, complete with fun facts and illustrated characters. Local Arts & Media: The Final Drive continues documenting the people behind car builds, shifting focus from specs to personal journeys. Regional Mobility (Brunei link): Taiwan extended visa-free entry for Brunei (among others) for up to 14 days, running Aug 1, 2026 to July 31, 2027.

Entrepreneurship & Wellness: Amway Malaysia marks 50 years in Malaysia with a push on healthy ageing, science-backed wellness and ethical entrepreneurship, highlighting how health choices and long-term financial resilience can go together. Brunei Culture & Creativity: Local makers keep it moving—Feigrance BN turns everyday self-care into heart-shaped solid perfume keychains, while Inked by Hope grows a henna business led by Brunei women creatives. Food & Family Lifestyle: BagelBagel Café (opened in Nov 2025) brings a bagel-focused micro-café concept to Brunei, and The Homey Café was born from a family coffee station idea that became a community gathering spot. Arts & Play: KUEHKU!® turns Brunei’s kueh-mueh into a family-friendly tabletop card game, mixing laughter with local food heritage. Local Storytelling: The Final Drive spotlights the people behind car builds, focusing on journeys, setbacks and meaning—not just finished vehicles. Regional Travel Updates: Austria, Cambodia and the UK all published updated visa-free/entry rules for 2026, with Brunei listed among Cambodia’s visa-free options (14 or 30 days depending on nationality). Royal & Community Ties: Brunei’s Sultan marks his 80th birthday, with Sabah’s Hajiji joining official celebrations in Bandar Seri Begawan.

Brunei Community & Entrepreneurship: Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) has kicked off its SEED program for 13 participants from government agencies, community groups and the public, with a focus on entrepreneurship training, mentorship and support—especially for women and underrepresented or vulnerable communities—aimed at building economic resilience aligned with Brunei Vision 2035. Royal & Cultural Spotlight: Brunei’s Sultan marks his 80th birthday, with Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor joining official celebrations in Bandar Seri Begawan and attending ceremonies at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali and Istana Nurul Iman, underscoring long-running cultural and diplomatic ties between Sabah and Brunei. Regional Lifestyle & Travel Ease: Cambodia announced visa-free entry for Brunei citizens (14-day stay) alongside other Southeast Asian countries, while the UK continues streamlining short visits via Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) instead of traditional visitor visas. Arts & Ideas: Australian composer Liza Lim, recently recognised with the Grawemeyer Award, is highlighted for work that “explodes forms” and creates ritual-like spaces for audiences to engage with different questions.

Brunei Royal Spotlight: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah marks his 80th birthday, with Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor joining official celebrations in Bandar Seri Begawan—another reminder of the deep cultural ties across Borneo. Community & Lifestyle: Kuala Belait Boat Club celebrates 50 years of water adventures, building a non-profit community around sailing, diving, kayaking and conservation for all ages. Entrepreneurship & Inclusion: Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam’s SEED program selects 13 participants for entrepreneurship training and mentorship, with a strong focus on women and underrepresented groups. Culture & Reading: Oman’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth takes part in the Brunei International Book Fair 2026, sharing Arabic and English literature and heritage, plus tourism promos. Regional Travel Rules: The UK, China, Germany and others keep updating visa-free and transit lists—good news for travellers, but also a steady stream of new entry requirements to watch. Sports & Family Fun: MILO Malaysia Breakfast Day 2026 wraps up in Putrajaya, spotlighting family-friendly fitness and healthier morning routines.

Sultan’s 80th Birthday: Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah marks his 80th with a rare look at the scale of his long reign and the tight privacy around his rule, while Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor joins official celebrations in Bandar Seri Begawan, underscoring strong Brunei–Sabah ties. Entrepreneurship & Community: Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam’s SEED programme selects 13 participants from government and community groups for entrepreneurship training and mentorship, with a focus on women and underrepresented communities. Brunei at the Book Fair: Oman’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth takes part in the Brunei International Book Fair 2026, sharing Arabic and English heritage, literature, and tourism materials. Lifestyle & Family Fun: MILO Malaysia Breakfast Day 2026 wraps up in Putrajaya with a big family turnout, pushing healthy breakfast habits and morning movement. Regional Travel Ease (for Bruneians): The UK confirms visa-free short stays for 20+ countries using an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), while China lists 55 countries for 240-hour visa-free transit in 2026. Borneo Culture in Motion: Ai-CHA celebrates its 200th Borneo outlet with a campaign spanning Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei and Kalimantan, inviting people to explore local culture and attractions.

Royal Milestone: Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah marks his 80th birthday, with Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor joining official celebrations in Bandar Seri Begawan—highlighting the long-running Brunei–Sabah ties. Entrepreneurship & Inclusion: Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) rolls out its SEED programme for 13 participants, aiming to build entrepreneurship skills and support sustainable income, with a focus on women and underrepresented groups. Culture & Reading: Oman’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth takes part in the Brunei International Book Fair 2026, bringing Arabic and English heritage and literature, plus tourism promotion. Regional Community Buzz: Kuching hosts the 20th Nanyang University Global Alumni Reunion, drawing 1,300+ alumni worldwide, including Brunei, for a reunion packed with cultural performances. Travel Ease for Bruneians: Germany confirms visa-free entry for citizens of 62 countries (including Brunei) for short stays in 2026, while the UK expands visa-free access rules via its ETA system. Gender & Demography: A global map shows men outnumber women in only about one-third of countries, with Brunei listed among the more male-skewed populations.

Royal Milestone: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah marks his 80th birthday, with coverage spotlighting his long reign, tightly guarded constitutional power, and the scale of the Bolkiah family. Regional Diplomacy: Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor joins the Sultan’s 80th celebrations in Bandar Seri Begawan, reinforcing close Brunei–Sabah ties through official ceremonies and honours. Entrepreneurship & Inclusion: Bank Islam Brunei’s SEED program selects 13 participants for entrepreneurship training and mentorship, aiming to boost resilience and support women and underrepresented groups. Culture & Reading: Oman’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth takes part in the Brunei International Book Fair 2026, bringing Arabic and English titles and heritage-focused materials. Community & Learning: Brunei’s International Book Fair also sits alongside a wider regional push for education and wellbeing, while travel rules keep shifting across the region. Lifestyle & Food Culture: Ai-CHA hits its 200th Borneo outlet and runs a “Borneo 200 Campaign” spanning Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei and Kalimantan, mixing promotions with local culture. Travel Ease (Context): New visa-free and e-visa lists keep rolling out across countries, including UK, Germany, China, and Japan—useful for Bruneians planning culture trips. Sports & Music (Regional): Brunei’s Secret Signal is set to share a stage with Indonesian rock act Peter Pan at Sarawak’s Rock-In-The-City 2026.