(Bandar Seri Begawan, 8th) The Brunei Legislative Council (MMN) recently became the 183rd member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) during the 151st IPU Assembly held in Geneva, Switzerland, marking an important step in strengthening Brunei's parliamentary diplomacy on the international stage.
This move expands MMN's role internationally, enabling it to directly participate in inter-parliamentary discussions on global issues such as security, development, and humanitarian topics.
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), founded in 1889, is an international parliamentary organization that aims to promote peace, encourage dialogue, and strengthen the functions of legislative bodies worldwide. As a strategic partner of the United Nations, the IPU provides a platform for national parliaments to express their positions on international policies and support the Sustainable Development Goals.
Brunei's accession to the IPU aligns with the country's foreign policy, which emphasizes international cooperation based on mutual respect, peace, and shared prosperity. By attaining this membership, the Brunei Legislative Council will have the opportunity to participate in inter-parliamentary dialogue and enhance collaboration with other national parliaments on regional and global issues.
This accession also strengthens the Brunei Legislative Council's capacity in parliamentary diplomacy, helps draw from international best practices, advances legislative processes for sustainable development and good governance, and further elevates its overall diplomatic stature.
In addition, this platform enables Brunei to share its national philosophy based on Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB), playing a unique role—particularly in promoting global peace through understanding and dialogue.