April 16, 2026
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam on Wednesday received in audience Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese MP, who is in Brunei Darussalam for a two-day Working Visit.
The Audience Ceremony took place at Cheradi Laila Kenchana, Istana Nurul Iman.
Present at the Audience Ceremony were members of the royal family.
Also in attendance were Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Awang Haji Mohamad as Minister-in-Attendance, as well as the official delegation of Australia.
BILATERAL MEETING
A Bilateral Meeting was held at Baitul Mesyuarah where His Majesty in a titah, welcomed the Australian prime minister on his first Working Visit to Brunei Darussalam. His Majesty highlighted Brunei Darussalam and Australia’s close ties in trade, defence, education and people-to-people exchanges.
His Majesty also stressed that the Brunei-Australia Comprehensive Partnership ensured the continuity of friendship and ties between both countries.
His Majesty also stated that energy and food security as important areas to also enhance economic growth.
The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, touching upon the ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations, developments in Myanmar, the Middle East and the South China Sea.
THE SIGNING CEREMONY OF BRUNEI DARUSSALAM-AUSTRALIA JOINT STATEMENT ON ENERGY AND FOOD SECURITY
After the Bilateral Meeting, His Majesty and the Australian prime minister signed the Brunei Darussalam-Australia Joint Statement on Energy and Food Security.
LUNCHEON
Following the Signing Ceremony, His Majesty and the Australian prime minister as well as members of the royal family and the official Australian delegation attended a luncheon held in honour of the Australian prime minister’s visit, at Baiturrahmah, Istana Nurul Iman.
This is the first visit by the Australian prime minister to Brunei Darussalam which provided a valuable opportunity for both leaders to discuss and reaffirm areas of mutual interest, while symbolising the strengthening of cooperation between Brunei Darussalam and Australia.
Bilateral relations between Brunei Darussalam and Australia were established on May 20, 1984, with 2024 marking the 40th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between both countries.
Since then, relations have elevated to a Comprehensive Partnership following the signing of the Joint Declaration on the Comprehensive Partnership between both countries on June 19, 2023, during His Majesty’s State Visit to Australia.
Brunei Darussalam and Australia enjoy strong cooperation in key sectors including trade, energy, defence, health and education.
The Comprehensive Partnership will further enhance strategic direction of ties in the coming years.
As ASEAN’s Dialogue Partner, the strategic partnership between Australia and ASEAN also provides a strong foundation for further expanding this bilateral relationship.