Israel-Brunei Relations: Recognition And Diplomatic Ties Explored

As of 2024, 30 countries do not recognise Israel as a sovereign state. This includes Brunei, a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which has close relations with Singapore and other ASEAN states. Brunei also has extensive relations with the Muslim world and the Arab world outside its own region.

Brunei's membership in international organisations

Brunei maintains diplomatic relations with 170 out of 193 countries. It became a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on 7 January 1984, one week after it regained full independence from the United Kingdom. It gives its ASEAN membership the highest priority in its foreign relations.

Brunei joined the United Nations in September 1984 and is a founding member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). It is also a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, and the Commonwealth of Nations.

Brunei has close relations with Singapore, with interchangeable currency and strong military ties. It also has extensive relations with the Muslim world and the Arab world outside its own region.

• Commonwealth of Nations (since 1984)
• ASEAN-Japan Centre (since 1990)
• BIMP-EAGA (since 1994)

Brunei's diplomatic relations with other countries

Brunei maintains diplomatic relations with 170 out of 193 countries. It became a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1984, and gives this membership the highest priority in its foreign relations. It is also a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, and the Commonwealth of Nations.

Brunei has close relations with Singapore, with interchangeable currency and close military ties. It also has extensive relations with the Muslim world and the Arab world outside its own region. Other ASEAN states with which Brunei has key partnerships include Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

Brunei has a number of diplomatic missions abroad, including in Beijing, Berlin, Canberra, Doha, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur, Muscat, New Delhi, Paris, Phnom Penh, Seoul, Tokyo, Vientiane, Washington, D.C., and Yangon.

Brunei has a warm and increasingly diverse bilateral relationship with Australia, which was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with Brunei in 1984. The two countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations and participate in the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations.

Brunei also has a strong bilateral relationship with the United Kingdom, particularly in defence cooperation, trade, and education. The UK plays a significant role in developing Brunei's oil and gas sector, and the Brunei Investment Agency is a notable investor in the UK.

Brunei's diplomatic relations with the United States began in 1984, and the two countries share membership in several international organisations, including the United Nations, the World Trade Organization (WTO), the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank. The US and Brunei have a Treaty of Peace, Friendship, Commerce and Navigation, which has been in effect since 1850.

Brunei does not recognise Israel as a sovereign state.

Brunei's currency agreement with Singapore

The Currency Interchangeability Agreement between Brunei and Singapore was established in 1967 to promote monetary cooperation between the two countries. Under the agreement, the currencies of both countries can be exchanged at par and without charge. This means that one Bruneian dollar is worth one Singaporean dollar and vice versa. The agreement reflects the strong bilateral relationship between the two countries and has been mutually beneficial for both Singapore and Brunei.

The agreement allows for the free flow of currency between the two countries, with banks in both countries accepting the currency issued by the other country at par and without charge. This includes accepting the currency for deposits from the public and businesses. The agreement also involves pegging their currencies through their link to the pound sterling, which minimises transaction costs and facilitates trade and investment between the two countries.

The Currency Interchangeability Agreement has stood the test of time, remaining intact throughout financial crises and structural changes in both economies. It has also led to stronger trade and investment flows between the two countries. For instance, trade between Singapore and Brunei has grown from under US$20 million in 1968 to US$822 million in 2016. Singapore's trade in services with Brunei has also increased from US$76 million in 2000 to US$400 million in 2015.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the agreement in 2017, a set of two $50 commemorative polymer notes, one from each country, were jointly launched by the leaders of Singapore and Brunei. One million pieces of the Bruneian $50 note and two million pieces of the Singaporean $50 note were made available for public exchange at face value. Banks in both countries also co-distributed a set of two commemorative notes, one from each country. In addition, limited-edition numismatic note sets were available for purchase.

The Currency Interchangeability Agreement between Brunei and Singapore is believed to be the only such arrangement in Asia.

Brunei's military cooperation with Singapore

Brunei and Singapore have close and friendly relations with extensive defence cooperation. Both countries are members of ASEAN and the Commonwealth of Nations.

Singapore has trained many Bruneian soldiers. In return, Brunei granted the Singapore Armed Forces permission to build a permanent jungle training camp in Temburong, named Lakiun Camp, which was officially opened in 1977.

Brunei and Singapore also conduct joint training exercises. Since 1994, the two countries have engaged in Exercise Airguard, which involves joint training between the Royal Brunei Air Force and the Republic of Singapore Air Force, with the states alternating as hosts. The Republic of Singapore Navy also hosts exercises with the Royal Brunei Navy every year, named Exercise Pelican. The Singapore Police Force and the Royal Brunei Police Force also conduct joint training exercises, usually involving around 70 personnel from both nations.

Brunei's relations with the United States

Brunei and the United States have a long history of diplomatic relations, dating back to the 19th century. In 1845, the USS Constitution visited Brunei, and in 1850, the two countries concluded a Treaty of Peace, Friendship, Commerce and Navigation, which remains in force today.

The United States welcomed and supported Brunei's full independence from the United Kingdom in 1984, and the two countries established embassies in each other's capitals that year. A memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation was signed in 1994, and the two countries' militaries engage in joint exercises, training programs, and other military cooperation.

The United States and Brunei work closely together bilaterally and regionally, particularly through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which Brunei is a member and which it chaired in 2013 and 2021. The two countries share a commitment to protecting the environment, and in 2013, Brunei became the first nation to ban all trade relating to sharks.

In terms of economic relations, US firms operate in the energy, consulting, and financial services sectors in Brunei, and US franchises and brands are present in the country. Trade between the two countries totalled $276 million in 2022. Aircraft procured by Brunei from the US in recent years include Sikorsky Black Hawk S70i helicopters and Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

Brunei and the US are also members of several international organisations, including the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the World Trade Organization, and the East Asia Summit.

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