Brunei's Wawasan 2035: A Visionary National Development Plan

Wawasan Brunei 2035, or Brunei Vision 2035, is a long-term development plan for the nation of Brunei Darussalam. The Wawasan Brunei 2035 outlines a strategic vision for the country's future, aiming to address the challenges of the future and promote prosperity. With a focus on modernity within traditional norms, the plan seeks to develop Brunei into a nation recognised for its highly skilled and educated populace, high quality of life, and dynamic, sustainable economy. The plan encompasses various sectors, including education, economy, security, institutional development, local business growth, and more, with the ultimate goal of fostering progress and resilience in the nation.

Educated and highly skilled population

Wawasan Brunei 2035, or Brunei Vision 2035, is a long-term development plan for the country of Brunei. It aims to address the country's dependence on gas, as its oil supplies are expected to run out soon. The vision for 2035 is for Brunei to be recognised for the achievements of its educated and highly skilled people, as measured against the highest international standards.

To achieve this, the country has identified a number of strategies and set up a Supreme Council to oversee the process. One of the key strategies is education, with a focus on equipping young people for success and jobs in a competitive, knowledge-based society. This will ensure that the population has the necessary skills to meet international standards and that they are prepared for the challenges of the modern world, which was identified as one of the collective aspirations of the nation.

The education strategy is designed to provide Bruneians with the tools to succeed in a modern, competitive society. This includes a focus on both academic and vocational education, ensuring that graduates have the skills and knowledge needed to contribute to the country's development. The strategy also emphasises the importance of lifelong learning, encouraging citizens to continuously update their skills and knowledge to adapt to a changing world.

Another important aspect of the Wawasan Brunei 2035 vision is the development of local businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). By enhancing the competitiveness of local businesses and providing opportunities for Bruneian Malays to become industry leaders, the country can foster innovation, create jobs, and reduce dependence on the oil and gas sector. This strategy also includes encouraging both local and international investment in downstream sectors and other economic clusters to boost the economy and provide new opportunities for the skilled workforce.

The Wawasan Brunei 2035 vision also recognises the importance of institutional development in providing a strong foundation for the country's progress. This includes improving governance in the public and commercial sectors, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of governmental processes, and providing high-quality public services. A modern and practical legal and regulatory framework will also support the country's development and provide a stable environment for businesses and citizens alike.

Through these comprehensive strategies and a strong governance structure, Wawasan Brunei 2035 aims to create an educated and highly skilled population that will drive the country's success and resilience in the face of future challenges.

High standard of living

Wawasan Brunei 2035, or Brunei Vision 2035, is a long-term development plan for the nation of Brunei Darussalam. It was consented to by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam.

The Wawasan Brunei 2035 vision aspires that, by the year 2035, Brunei will be recognised as a nation of highly educated and skilled people, with a high standard of living that ranks among the top 10 nations in the world.

To achieve this, the Sultan approved the creation of a Council for Long-Term Development Planning in 2004. This council was tasked with shaping a future vision for Brunei and outlining the technical, financial, and strategic requirements needed to realise that vision. The council identified the collective aspirations of Brunei and its people as maintaining political stability, preserving social, cultural, spiritual, and historic values, helping people meet the challenges of modern life, and fostering a sense of security for families and communities. These recommendations were published in 2007, forming the basis of Wawasan Brunei 2035.

The following strategies have been identified as key to achieving the Wawasan Brunei 2035 vision of a high standard of living:

Education

The education strategy aims to equip young people with the skills and knowledge to succeed in an increasingly competitive and knowledge-based society. This includes providing access to quality education and training to develop a highly skilled and educated workforce that meets international standards.

Economy

The economic strategy focuses on increasing business prospects and creating new jobs by fostering both local and international investment in downstream sectors and economic clusters outside the oil and gas sector. This diversification is particularly important given the expected depletion of Brunei's oil supplies.

Security

The security strategy integrates Brunei's military and diplomatic strength with its ability to counter threats from illness and natural disasters. This strategy aims to protect the country's political stability and sovereignty, thereby creating a safe and secure environment for its citizens.

Institutional Development

This strategy seeks to improve governance and public services in both the public and commercial sectors. It also aims to establish contemporary and practical legal and regulatory frameworks and efficient governmental processes with reduced bureaucratic red tape.

Local Business Development

The local business development strategy aims to increase opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and provide Bruneian Malays with the chance to become industry leaders by enhancing their competitiveness.

Infrastructure Development

The infrastructure development strategy focuses on building and maintaining top-notch infrastructure in the sectors of industry, education, and health. It emphasises ongoing government investment and public-private sector collaboration to ensure access to high-quality infrastructure and services for all citizens.

Social Security

The social security strategy ensures that all citizens are taken care of as the country prospers. It aims to provide a safety net and support for those who need it, contributing to an overall improved quality of life for all.

Health

The health strategy aims to improve the health and well-being of Brunei's citizens. This includes providing access to quality healthcare and promoting healthy lifestyles.

By implementing these strategies in a systematic and comprehensive manner, the nation of Brunei hopes to achieve its Wawasan Brunei 2035 vision of a high standard of living that ranks among the top 10 nations in the world.

Dynamic and sustainable economy

Wawasan Brunei 2035, or Brunei Vision 2035, is a long-term development plan for the nation of Brunei Darussalam. It was consented to by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam. The Wawasan Brunei 2035 report was released by the Wawasan Brunei 2035 Supreme Council and details the accomplishments of efforts made in support of Brunei Vision 2035 from 2015 to 2022, as well as the progress of their implementation.

The Wawasan Brunei 2035 vision for the country's economy is that, by 2035, it will be "dynamic and sustainable" with a high income per capita that ranks among the top 10 nations in the world. This vision is in response to the country's expected near-future depletion of oil supplies and aims to reduce the country's dependence on gas.

To achieve this, the plan focuses on economic strategies that will increase business prospects in Brunei and provide new jobs for the population. This will be facilitated by encouraging both local and international investment in downstream sectors and other economic clusters outside the oil and gas sector.

The plan also identifies local business development as a key strategy, increasing opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and providing Bruneian Malays with the chance to become industry leaders by enhancing their level of competitiveness.

The Supreme Council for the Wawasan, or Majlis Tertinggi Wawasan Brunei 2035, is responsible for overseeing the implementation of initiatives by government agencies to realise the outcomes of the Wawasan Brunei 2035. It is led by Champions of Strategies or Peneraju Strategi, who are responsible for identifying strategies to achieve the National Outcomes in the Framework for Wawasan Brunei 2035. They also prepare and implement action plans to achieve the relevant strategies and ensure the implementation of high-impact programs and projects at the national level.

The Wawasan Brunei 2035 plan also identifies 12 other key strategies to support the development of a dynamic and sustainable economy, including education, security, institutional development, infrastructure development, social security, environment, health, religion, land use, infrastructure and information-communication technology, and manpower planning.

Political stability

One of the primary goals of Wawasan 2035 is to preserve Brunei's political stability. This involves maintaining the country's well-established Islamic values and integrating them into its national ideology. By doing so, Brunei seeks to navigate the challenges of an ever-changing world while staying true to its traditional norms and identity.

To achieve this delicate balance, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, has played a pivotal role. The Sultan consented to the formation of the Council for Long-Term Development Planning in 2004, tasked with shaping a future vision for the nation. This council identified maintaining political stability as one of the key aspirations of the Bruneian people, alongside preserving social, cultural, spiritual, and historic values.

The council's recommendations, published in 2007, laid the foundation for Wawasan 2035. This vision outlines a strategic path forward, aiming to transform Brunei into a nation recognised for its highly educated and skilled people, high quality of life, and a dynamic and sustainable economy by 2035.

To ensure the successful implementation of Wawasan 2035, the Sultan emphasised the importance of monitoring the nation's progress. In 2014, he decreed the formation of the Supreme Council for Wawasan, known as the Majlis Tertinggi Wawasan Brunei 2035 (MTWB). The MTWB provides intensive and systematic support to government agencies, assisting them in realising the outcomes of Wawasan 2035. It establishes policies, sets directions, and engages in comprehensive monitoring to ensure a coordinated and effective national development agenda.

Through Wawasan 2035, Brunei is striving to create a stable and prosperous future for its citizens, adapting to modern challenges while preserving its unique cultural and political heritage.

Social, cultural, spiritual, and historic values

The Wawasan Brunei 2035, or Brunei Vision 2035, is a long-term development plan for the nation of Brunei Darussalam. It was consented to by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam. The plan aims to guide the country toward retaining its prosperity while carefully selecting elements of modernity to sustain its standing.

The Council for Long-Term Development Planning was formed in 2004 to shape a future vision for Brunei and outline the technical, financial, and strategic requirements needed to realise that vision. The Council identified the collective aspirations of Brunei as the preservation of social, cultural, spiritual, and historic values, helping people meet the practical challenges of modern life, and fostering a sense of security for families and communities. These recommendations were published in 2007, embedding a vision for the future that could fulfil the people's long-term hopes and expectations.

The social, cultural, spiritual, and historic values that Brunei aims to preserve are deeply rooted in the country's Islamic values and unique political stand. The absolute monarchy system in Brunei is maintained by integrating these well-established values into its national ideology. The Wawasan Brunei 2035 embodies collective national objectives that unite the nation amidst future challenges, creating a narrative of modernity in traditional normativity.

The social and cultural values that Brunei seeks to preserve are reflected in the country's emphasis on education and skill development. By 2035, Brunei aspires to be recognised for the accomplishments of its educated and highly skilled people, measured by the highest international standards. This includes ensuring that young people are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in an increasingly knowledge-based and competitive society.

The spiritual and historic values of Brunei are also important components of the Wawasan Brunei 2035. The country's Islamic values play a significant role in shaping its national identity and guiding its progress. By preserving and promoting these values, Brunei aims to foster a sense of unity and pride in its unique history and cultural heritage.

Overall, the Wawasan Brunei 2035 aims to strike a balance between embracing modernity and preserving the country's traditional social, cultural, spiritual, and historic values. By doing so, Brunei hopes to create a prosperous and resilient nation that can navigate the challenges of the future while staying true to its roots.

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