BY Izah Azahari

The Eco Festival, organised during the Climate Action Week in conjunction with the Brunei Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition 2022 (Brunei MYCE 2022) by the Ministry of Development, was officiated on Sunday.

Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof; Minister of Home Affairs Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman; Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Paduka Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin; Minister of Development Dato Paduka Awang Haji Mohd Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid; Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Pengiran Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha in his capacity as a member of the Brunei Darussalam National Council on Climate Change; and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad were the guests of honour.

Permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries, heads of departments, senior officers and staff from various ministries as well as managing directors of private agencies and invited representatives from foreign envoys to Brunei Darussalam and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) were also present.

Prior to the opening ceremony, a Subuh prayer and Tazkirah was held at the Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque, Bandar Seri Begawan.

The event commenced with a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the launch of the Eco Festival at Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas by the guests of honour.

The ministers also launched the Donate a Tree campaign, a collaborative initiative by Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) through the SME360 Sustainable Nation campaign in collaboration with the Brunei Climate Change Secretariat and Progresif Sdn Bhd. The launch took place at the vicinity of BIBD Connects Eco-Cinema screen.

Throughout the week, the screen will show documentaries aimed at educating the public on environmental issues as well as fostering an appreciation for the environment.

The event continued with a mass tree planting activity in support of the Brunei Darussalam National Climate Change Policy, especially Strategy 2 on Forest Cover.

Happenings during the eco festival include exhibitions and activities attended by government and private agencies as well as NGOs such as the Sustainable Nation Showcase from Community for Brunei; Thryff Market from Thryffy; Tunnel Crafts from Sparks Co; Sustainable Art: Live Sculptures, floating garden, upcycled stadium chairs from local carpenters and artists.

The public can also join a test drive activity with electric vehicles (EVs) on display, and get offers on the compost sales at the Composting 101 area, as well as enjoy delicacies from local food and beverage vendors participating in Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex’s Food Street.

The festival will run at Yayasan Complex until July 3.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin