MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in a bilateral meeting with His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah of Brunei on Tuesday, emphasized the need for nations to unite in facing global challenges, such as climate change and geopolitical tensions.
According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos highlighted the necessity for closer and more effective cooperation among nation-states given 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 make it necessary for nation-states to cooperate more closely and more effectively," Marcos said.
Marcos, who is visiting Brunei upon Sultan Bolkiah's invitation, also witnessed the signing of agreements in key areas such as tourism, agriculture, and maritime cooperation to further strengthen the four-decade-old ties between the two countries. He recalled the visit of his father, the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., to Brunei in 1984 during the early days of their bilateral relationship. Marcos thanked Brunei for its assistance to the Philippines during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic and the help extended during natural disasters like Super Typhoon Yolanda and Typhoon Odette, as well as during the oil crisis in the 1970s.
Sultan Bolkiah expressed his gratitude for Marcos's visit, noting that such state visits are customary for strengthening bilateral 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. Marcos is scheduled to meet with Brunei's energy sector and attend a state banquet at the Istana Nurul Iman, the official residence of the Sultan, on the second and last day of his visit.