HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has consented to provide financial support to carry out a regional analysis to review the implementation of the blueprint to ensure that concrete action will be taken to promote the establishment of a socio-cultural community, one of the three pillars of Asean community to be realised in 2015.

The implementation of the Blueprint which was finalised in 2009 is subject to the mid-term review during Brunei’s Chairmanship of Asean this year and the review is due to be completed in time for the next ASCC Council meeting in September ahead of the 23rd Asean Summit in October.

His Majesty’s strong commitment to the implementation of the blueprint by providing financial support to the analysis was revealed by YB Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Awang Hj Hazair bin Hj Abdullah, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports in a press conference yesterday following the conclusion of the ninth Asean Socio Cultural Community(ASCC) Council meeting. YB Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Awang Hj Hazair who is the chair of ASCC said , “The ministers returned from an audience with His Majesty at Istana Nurul Iman where His Majesty acknowledged the importance of the mid- term review particularly in regard to achieving the objectives of the blueprint including youth development and contribution to Asean cooperation and unity.”

In this regard, he pointed out “His Majesty announced to the Ministers that the Government of His Majesty is prepared to provide financial support to carry out the Regional analysis as approved by the Ministers in the morning.” - Borneo Bulletin (24 March 2013)