United Nations May Open Office In Brunei
By Izam Said Ya'akub

Bandar Seri Begawan - A United Nations Office in Brunei Darussalam is a firm possibility, however, it will need to task United Nations (UN) mandates when it materialises.

Speaking yesterday during one of his working visits, Michel Bonnieu from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said "It is not a decision for us (United Nations) to make; it is a decision that is made by the Brunei government."

He added that Brunei Darussalam, after deciding, could then make a request, upon which the United Nations will then act.

"If it were to happen (Brunei's request) we will consider it."

Said the Senior Regional Legal Advisor at the United Nations Regional Centre for East Asia and the Pacific: "A UN office in Brunei needs to address mandates; it is not for the sake of opening an office."

Bonnieu remained optimistic of the possibilities for the sultanate. He feels that there is plenty to do, with transnational crime and anti-corruption among the issues and scope which can be focused on.

The UNODC official yesterday made a visit to Amar Pahlawan Primary School, Berakas where he had the opportunity to see more of Brunei Darussalam's pioneering Corruption. Prevention Education programme in the National Curriculum. of Brunei Darussalam, and also making a visit to the Ministry of Finance.

As part of his working visit here in Brunei, Bonnieu will also be conducting a seminar on good governance today.

Entitled "Good Governance; Enhancing Regional and International Cooperation in Crime Prevention and Detection from the Perspective of UNODC" the seminar is a one-day session and will be presented to law enforcement officers at the Civil Service Institute.

The reports from Brunei will be delivered directly to Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director of UNODC.

With other countries beginning to take note of Brunei Darussalam's initiatives on corruption, the visit to the sultanate is considered timely as it is also blessed with being relatively free from the grips of terrorism. "

Should the establishment of such an office take place, the UNODC could choose to use it to showcase the aspects of Brunei Darussalam which can be adopted by other countries within the region at the same time fulfil the mandates set out by the United Nations.

Alongside this, such an office could also further the Asean initiatives on combating transnational crime.

Information sharing had already been highlighted in last year's sixth Asean Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime, as a means to allow Asean to combat terrorism, drug trade, the smuggling of fire arms, human trafficking, cyber crimes, global economic crime and piracy.-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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