With an enduring defence relationship dating back to 1945 during World War 2, the ADF and Royal Brunei Armed Forces have continued to strengthen their connection during Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2024 (IPE24).
A contingent of personnel from Navy, Army, Air Force and the Department of Defence were hosted in Brunei Darussalam for a series of workshops on international law, maritime security, and gender, peace and security, as well as a faith-based engagement program.
Acting Fleet Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy Commander Sonny Iskandar bin Rasani opened the maritime security workshop at the Naval Training School and said the event highlighted the significance of maritime collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region.
"Today's session stands as a testament to our shared commitment in enhancing maritime cooperation and addressing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead," he said.
"Encouraging participants from both nations to collaborate with a spirit of openness and exchange ideas to chart a course toward a more connected and resilient maritime future.
"The maritime domain serves as the lifeblood of international trade and a cornerstone of regional stability.
"Our mission today is to share insights, exchange best practices, and forge stronger partnerships to ensure that we can navigate these waters with greater efficiency and security."
'IPE is a practical demonstration of how important people-to-people links are - they underscore everything we do, how we work together, and can learn and grow from each other's experiences.'
Whether it was during workshops in the classroom, PT in the park, or over a cup of sweet tea, the common theme throughout the week was collaboration and friendship, as open discussions and shared experiences filled the room.
Commander IPE24 Commodore Michael Harris said human connection was what make IPE so valuable - while the two nations may seem far apart, they support one another as regional partners.
"IPE is a practical demonstration of how important people-to-people links are - they underscore everything we do, how we work together, and can learn and grow from each other's experiences," Commodore Harris said.
"Working together as friends and partners towards our shared vision of peace and security in the region because this is our home; we are of, with and for the region, and we are passionate about keeping it safe."
High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Luke Arnold supported the IPE visit for this third year and said that while the activities varied in scale and size each year, the one thing that remained was the crucial diplomatic engagement it provided.
"IPE is an excellent way to bring together the different parts of government to address defence and security issues in a wholistic way, which is necessary in the complex world that we live in. We need a collaborative and whole-of-government approach," he said.
Australia and Brunei enjoy a longstanding defence partnership, with both nations looking forward to enhancing the bilateral defence relationship and exploring opportunities to grow further cooperation into the future.
