The Prime Minister’s Office as the Secretariat to the Special National Coordination Committee (SNCC) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS), Bank Islam Brunei Darusalam (BIBD) and School of Business and Economics, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBDSBE), organised a closing ceremony for the second SDG Youth Dialogue today, 27th June 2024, at the Bicara Minda Room, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) Library.

The dialogue conducted by the Brunei Youth Council and Green Brunei with the support of the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office (UNRCO) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) for Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei Darussalam, took place over four days starting from 24 June 2024, and was attended by 60 youths from higher education institutions. This dialogue focuses on SDG Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), the nation’s commitment towards transforming the responsible production and consumption of good and services, which plays a vital role in promoting innovative solutions and practices that protect the environment as well as supporting national efforts in achieving the SDGs and Wawasan Brunei 2035. This dialogue also aims to empower youth as the next generation leaders to better understand the importance of responsible consumption and production of goods and services, while also encouraging contribution through creative ideas, innovative sustainable practices, and establishing system that support long-term ecological balance.

Various activities were conducted including briefings on SDGs particularly in the areas related to Goal 12 such as waste management, sustainable living, responsible production and food waste, delivered by representatives from Wawasan Brunei Office at the Prime Minister’s Office and invited speakers from UNRCO, UNDP, BIBD, Green Brunei, Biofields Solutions, Etah Studio, Zero Waste Brunei and EnEvo Sendirian Berhad. Participants also had the opportunity to go on a study visit to the Sungai Paku Landfills, Kawan Bumi and Biofields Solutions. In addition, they also experience interactive upcycling activities run by Etah Studio and Green Brunei, which exposed them to a creative approach to sustainable lifestyle. Participants were also trained to ideate projects that will contribute to Goal 12 under the guidance of experienced mentors from BIBD, RAB Global Green Sdn Bhd, Shell Livewire Brunei, Tebalik Plastik and Young Entrepreneurs Association of Brunei (YEAB). Throughout the programme, the participants demonstrated enthusiasm, high creativity in contributing innovative ideas as well as dedication to develop impactful and meaningful projects.

The closing ceremony began with remarks by Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Nazmi bin Haji Awang Mohammad, Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports, as the Guest of Honour. In his closing remarks, he highlighted the objectives of the National Youth Policy, which aims to develop quality world-class youth as future agents of change, prepared to face upcoming challenges in achieving national progress, in line with Wawasan Brunei 2035. The 2nd Youth SDG Dialogue, which focuses on SDG Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) serves as a platform for the youth to continue their journey towards creating a sustainable future. Achieving this goal requires concerted efforts from all levels of society, and the active participation of youth proves that the nation is ready to foster cooperative efforts with stakeholders from around the world to achieve a sustainable future.

The participants then witnessed the announcement of the winners of the 2023 BIBD Youth Sustainability Award. The BIBD Most Inspiring Male Youth Sustainability Leader Award was won by Awang Muhammad Riyanulaiman bin Mohammad Yazid; the BIBD Most Inspiring Female Youth Sustainability Leader Award was won by Dayang Nabilah Assyahirah binti Norman; and the Best Overall BIBD Youth Sustainability Project was won by Vil-Laju! Brunei. The awards were presented by Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Nazmi bin Haji Mohammad, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports. The event concluded with a photo session.

Also present were Permanent Secretary (Wawasan) PMO; Managing Director BIBD; representatives from government agencies, BIBD and UBDSBE.