(Bandar Seri Begawan, 5th) Deputy Director-General of the Brunei Customs Authority, Azizul, together with senior officials, attended the 35th ASEAN Directors-General of Customs Meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from June 2 to 4, 2026. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Kun Nhim, Special Assistant to the Cambodian Prime Minister and Director-General of the Cambodian General Department of Customs and Excise. Representatives from ASEAN member states and the ASEAN Secretariat were all present.
As the rotating chair of the ASEAN Customs Authority for 2025-2026, Brunei expressed gratitude for the support and cooperation of all member states and the ASEAN Secretariat during its term.
Azizul emphasized that ASEAN's shared commitment to customs modernization, trade facilitation, digital transformation, and enforcement cooperation is crucial in promoting regional economic integration and enhancing ASEAN's position in the global trade system. He stressed that members should strengthen strategic collaboration, drive innovation, and promote sustainable and inclusive growth to address future challenges while safeguarding legitimate trade and border security.
The meeting reviewed progress in ASEAN customs cooperation and held discussions on key topics such as regional customs integration, trade facilitation, customs modernization, digital transformation, enforcement cooperation, risk management, and capacity building. These included strengthening supply chain resilience, promoting legitimate trade, and leveraging emerging technologies to improve customs efficiency.
During the event, Azizul also jointly chaired the 24th ASEAN-China Customs Consultation Meeting with Sun Meijun, Member of the CPC Committee and Minister of the General Administration of China Customs, to report on trade and customs cooperation progress and discuss future directions for collaboration.
Brunei reaffirmed its commitment to continue strengthening regional customs cooperation, supporting the development of a modern, innovative, and resilient ASEAN Customs Community, and contributing to sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the region.
Azizul emphasized that ASEAN's shared commitment to customs modernization, trade facilitation, digital transformation, and enforcement cooperation is crucial in promoting regional economic integration and enhancing ASEAN's position in the global trade system. He stressed that members should strengthen strategic collaboration, drive innovation, and promote sustainable and inclusive growth to address future challenges while safeguarding legitimate trade and border security.
The meeting reviewed progress in ASEAN customs cooperation and held discussions on key topics such as regional customs integration, trade facilitation, customs modernization, digital transformation, enforcement cooperation, risk management, and capacity building. These included strengthening supply chain resilience, promoting legitimate trade, and leveraging emerging technologies to improve customs efficiency.
During the event, Azizul also jointly chaired the 24th ASEAN-China Customs Consultation Meeting with Sun Meijun, Member of the CPC Committee and Minister of the General Administration of China Customs, to report on trade and customs cooperation progress and discuss future directions for collaboration.
Brunei reaffirmed its commitment to continue strengthening regional customs cooperation, supporting the development of a modern, innovative, and resilient ASEAN Customs Community, and contributing to sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the region.