(Bandar Seri Begawan, 14th) The 13th ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting (13th AFMGM) and related meetings were held virtually from April 7th to 10th.
The Philippines will serve as the chair for the 13th ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in 2026.
The theme of the meeting was 'Leading Our Future Together.' Brunei was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Economy, Awg.Seruara Ain, and Central Bank Managing Director Rasheedah.
This series of meetings began with dialogues between the ASEAN Finance Ministers and ASEAN Central Bank Governors and international financial institutions (including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank Group (WBG), and Asian Development Bank (ADB)), as well as regional business councils (such as ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC), and US-ASEAN Business Council (US-ABC)). The ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors also met with representatives from the US Treasury and Australian Treasury, as well as the UK-ASEAN Business Council and TheCityUK. The focus of these external exchanges was on joint initiatives and support from partners, aiming to strengthen regional cooperation within ASEAN, respond to multifaceted challenges, and seize opportunities to ensure long-term economic resilience and sustainability.
At the 13th ASEAN Financial and Monetary Integration Major Meeting, finance ministers and central bank governors welcomed the Philippines' priorities during its chairmanship of ASEAN in 2026 and commended the progress made. They also discussed areas of cooperation, including capital market development, sustainable finance, regional payment connectivity, as well as other initiatives under the ASEAN Financial and Monetary Integration Roadmap and the ASEAN Financial and Monetary Integration Major Agenda.
During these meetings, Brunei’s Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Economy, Awg.Seruara Ain, and others: expressed gratitude for the Philippines’ leadership during its 2026 ASEAN chairmanship and further welcomed the financial initiatives under this year's Priority Economic Deliverables.
Brunei looks forward to ongoing policy dialogue, peer learning, and enhanced cooperation with external ASEAN partners and the private sector in advancing these priorities.
At the same time, Brunei commended the progress made by ASEAN in financial cooperation, including the ASEAN Single Window, ASEAN Finance Forum, and ASEAN infrastructure development through the ASEAN Infrastructure Fund.
Furthermore, the following points were emphasized: deepening cooperation to ensure trade and supply chain connectivity; mainstreaming climate action initiatives; streamlining and focusing on strengthening coordination between financial areas and other sectoral committees (such as health, disaster risk management, and food security); recognizing the contribution of regional cooperation to Brunei’s domestic priorities and sharing its national budget priorities, namely: strengthening fiscal stability and governance, enhancing economic strength through transformation and innovation, and ensuring social sustainability and future development; welcoming more support from the IMF, World Bank Group, and Asian Development Bank in mobilizing resources, providing policy advice, and conducting targeted knowledge sharing.
Such cooperation is particularly important for bridging infrastructure gaps, enhancing ASEAN competitiveness, and promoting socio-economic development.
The Philippines will serve as the chair for the 13th ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in 2026.
The theme of the meeting was 'Leading Our Future Together.' Brunei was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Economy, Awg.Seruara Ain, and Central Bank Managing Director Rasheedah.
At the 13th ASEAN Financial and Monetary Integration Major Meeting, finance ministers and central bank governors welcomed the Philippines' priorities during its chairmanship of ASEAN in 2026 and commended the progress made. They also discussed areas of cooperation, including capital market development, sustainable finance, regional payment connectivity, as well as other initiatives under the ASEAN Financial and Monetary Integration Roadmap and the ASEAN Financial and Monetary Integration Major Agenda.
During these meetings, Brunei’s Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Economy, Awg.Seruara Ain, and others: expressed gratitude for the Philippines’ leadership during its 2026 ASEAN chairmanship and further welcomed the financial initiatives under this year's Priority Economic Deliverables.
Brunei looks forward to ongoing policy dialogue, peer learning, and enhanced cooperation with external ASEAN partners and the private sector in advancing these priorities.
At the same time, Brunei commended the progress made by ASEAN in financial cooperation, including the ASEAN Single Window, ASEAN Finance Forum, and ASEAN infrastructure development through the ASEAN Infrastructure Fund.
Furthermore, the following points were emphasized: deepening cooperation to ensure trade and supply chain connectivity; mainstreaming climate action initiatives; streamlining and focusing on strengthening coordination between financial areas and other sectoral committees (such as health, disaster risk management, and food security); recognizing the contribution of regional cooperation to Brunei’s domestic priorities and sharing its national budget priorities, namely: strengthening fiscal stability and governance, enhancing economic strength through transformation and innovation, and ensuring social sustainability and future development; welcoming more support from the IMF, World Bank Group, and Asian Development Bank in mobilizing resources, providing policy advice, and conducting targeted knowledge sharing.
Such cooperation is particularly important for bridging infrastructure gaps, enhancing ASEAN competitiveness, and promoting socio-economic development.