(Bandar Seri Begawan, 16th) In a speech delivered in conjunction with the 2025 World Children’s Day, Brunei’s Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports, Nazmi, stated that, since 1954, World Children’s Day (WCD) has been celebrated annually on 20th November to commemorate and reaffirm the global commitment to the principles outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
Nazmi pointed out that this year marks the 19th year Brunei is celebrating World Children’s Day. This year’s theme, “Listen to the Future”, emphasizes that it is essential to listen to and value children’s opinions, as their voices reflect the nation’s future and can guide us in creating a safe, ethical, and loving environment for them.
He stated that various initiatives and strategies have been set out in Brunei’s Vision 2035 to strengthen family institutions, protect children, and empower the community through comprehensive and nationwide participation. These initiatives include the implementation of the Children’s Welfare Action Plan under the National Council on Social Issues (MKIS), the Brunei Vision 2035 Social Blueprint, as well as the Child Online Protection Framework (2013) and the National Child Protection Framework (2021), all aimed at ensuring children's safety both in real life and in cyberspace.
Nazmi noted that, in 2024, there are 114,500 children and adolescents under the age of 18 nationwide, accounting for 25.14% of the total population. He emphasized that early childhood development is crucial for overall growth and future well-being. In conjunction with Brunei’s 35th National Teacher’s Day in 2025, His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei announced the establishment of a comprehensive National Early Childhood Care and Education Framework, to be led jointly by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Religious Affairs, cooperating with relevant stakeholders to ensure the provision of inclusive, high-quality, value-based early childhood education grounded in Islamic principles.
He pointed out that today’s digital era is full of challenges and children require wise guidance and protection from online threats. The nation supports various initiatives, including: the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Youth Camp in August 2024; the Screen Time Guidelines issued by the Child Development Centre (CDC); the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action for the Elimination of Violence Against Children (RPA on EVAC) to be implemented in June 2025; Brunei Cyber Security Bureau’s Child Online Protection Workshop; campaigns by the Islamic Education Department on the impact of social media; the “Information Technology Education Program” and the “Living by the Sunnah Program”, to nurture children into responsible digital users.
The highlight of this year’s Brunei World Children’s Day is the “World Children’s Day Celebration” co-organized by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports, supported by the Community Development Department (JAPEM) and organized by the Brunei Paediatrics Society. The event will be held on Sunday, 23rd November 2025, at One City Shopping Mall, aiming to raise public awareness of children's health, welfare, safety, and well-being.
In addition, this year will also see a Thanksgiving ceremony, prayer sessions (including prayers for Palestinian children in Gaza), forums and seminars themed “Children’s Voices—Listening to the Future: Connecting and Protecting”, a 2025 World Children's Day lecture series, and the Children’s Welfare Program (PKS). Nazmi calls upon all sectors of society to pay attention to the sufferings of Palestinian children and to participate in donations to the “Gaza Palestinian People Humanitarian Fund 2023”, with the fundraising period extended to 18th April 2026, working together to protect children's rights, well-being, and future.