Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei Darussalam hosted the first Asean Regional Forum (ARF) Defence Officials' Dialogue (DOD) meeting for the inter-seasonal year 2012-2013 under the Brunei Darussalam chairmanship yesterday.

The forum was co-chaired by Hj Mohd Sahrip bin Othman, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Defence Policy and Development) at the Ministry of Defence, Brunei Darussalam and Senior Colonel Zhao Bao, Deputy Director-General, General Planning Bureau, Foreign Affairs Office, Ministry of National Defence, People's Republic of China.

The ARF DOD discussed two main topics, namely `Issues and Challenges in Multilateral Peacekeeping Operations', led by Brunei Darussalam and 'Roles of the Military in Counter-Terrorism Strategies' led by China. During the meeting, the Sultanate also took the opportunity to conduct a briefing on Brunei Darussalam's ADMM Chairmanship in 2013.

The forum was attended by almost all ARF member states and officials from Track 2 organisation. Among the objectives of the event is to share best practices among member countries on areas of collective regional security interests. Brunei Darussalam was represented by officials from the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. A welcoming dinner was hosted by the Permanent Secretary (Defence Policy and Development), Col (Rtd) Pg Dato Paduka Hj Azmansham bin Pg Hj Mohamad.

The ARF DOD meeting concluded with both co-chairs giving their closing remarks. The delegates were also given a city tour as part of the planned programme during their stay in the Sultanate.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin