By Suzimah Latif
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Wednesday 14 December 2011 - Brunei Darussalam co-hosted the 11th Joint Defence Working Committee (JDWC) Meeting with the United States on 13 November 2011. The Meeting was held at Mangrove Paradise Resort, Brunei Darussalam.
The Meeting was co-chaired by Haji Adi Ihram bin DP Haji Mahmud, Acting Director of Defence Policy, Ministry of Defence and Colonel J. Kevin Hendrick, Director of Southeast Asia, Pacific Command, United States. The Meeting was also attended by military and civilian officials from both sides.
The Meeting has discussed on bilateral defence cooperation in areas such as exercises, trainings, logistics cooperation and also a review of the bilateral progress between both countries. During the exchange of views, Brunei Darussalam has delivered a brief presentation on issues related to maritime security in Brunei Darussalam's perspective while the United States presented the Meeting on its Strategic Posture in the Asia-Pacific Region. Also included in the agenda items were several initiatives that could further enhance defence and military cooperation between Brunei Darussalam and the United States.
After the Meeting, Colonel J. Kevin Hendrick and the rest of the entourage made a tour at Kampong Ayer by boat. The delegation also had the opportunity to conduct several visits during their three-day stay in Brunei Darussalam which includes the Jungle Training School in Penanjong Camp and the Royal Regalia Museum in Bandar Seri Begawan.
The JDWC between Brunei Darussalam and the United States was established through the Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation signed on 29 November 1994. The MoU serves as a framework for fostering closer defence relations and cooperation between the defence establishments and armed forces of both countries.
The next JDWC meeting is planned to be held in Hawaii in 2012.