In a hall in Bandar Seri Begawan, ministers from ten ASEAN countries and twenty-seven EU member states gathered last night for the 25th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting. The atmosphere of the meeting was different from usual: not cheerful, but also not hopeless—more accurately, determined. The background was the deepening Iranian tensions and the subsequent disruptions to the global energy supply chain. In his opening speech, Dato Erywan Yusof, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei, emphasized that multilateralism is not just a slogan. "Our relevance, whether together or apart, will be measured by our ability to uphold these principles without discrimination—and translate them into concrete, results-oriented cooperation," he said. This meeting is not a forum of rhetoric; it has become a space to plan real steps in energy and security.
Tested Commitments, Not Just Announced
The 25th meeting is not just a routine celebration of ASEAN-EU cooperation. It is a real test of the effectiveness of multilateralism amid the crisis. Dato Erywan emphasized that the UN Charter and international norms must be consistently upheld—not just when convenient. "We cannot let this crisis erode the foundations of international cooperation," he stated. Diplomats agreed that dialogue remains the only way to ease tensions, especially in the context of the Iranian conflict that has disrupted oil and gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. For Brunei—a small country with a convincing regional influence—the meeting became an opportunity to strengthen ASEAN unity—not just as a host, but as a facilitator who believes in the process.
Rising Oil Prices, Tangible Impact Even in Exporting Countries
The energy crisis caused by Iranian tensions has pushed crude oil prices to their highest level in three years. Although Brunei exports oil and natural gas, the impact is still felt: fuel import prices have increased, the market has become uncertain, and operating costs for local industries have also risen. Ministers of Energy and Trade from both blocs discussed practical measures—such as accelerating investments in renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and developing strategic storage infrastructure. For Bruneians, these changes mean the possibility of higher petrol prices and electricity tariffs, as well as additional pressure on small businesses dependent on stable and low-cost energy supplies. The Brunei government has formed a special committee to monitor the direct impact of the crisis on inflation, subsidies, and domestic energy resilience.
From Discussions to MOUs: Security & Green Energy Cooperation
Security issues also became a main focus—not just in the context of global geopolitics, but also regional threats such as piracy and illegal activities in Southeast Asian waters. The European Union offers technical support in maritime security and renewable energy development. Dato Erywan welcomed the offer, but emphasized that cooperation must produce tangible projects: joint training for ASEAN maritime officers, technical workshops for green energy engineers, and transparent technology transfer agreements. "We cannot just talk, but we need to act," he said. As proof of commitment, the meeting witnessed the signing of three Memorandums of Understanding (MoU)—one for maritime security capacity-building training, one for solar photovoltaic research, and another for smart energy data management systems.
Action Plans, Not Long-Term Promises
The meeting ended with a joint statement outlining specific action schedules: senior officials' meetings will be held within six months to assess the progress of MoU implementation; a technical workshop on offshore wind energy is scheduled for the third quarter of this year in Bandar Seri Begawan; and a joint study on ASEAN-EU energy supply chain resilience will be launched in September. For Brunei, these initiatives are not just learning opportunities—they are strategic steps to accelerate the energy transition while maintaining economic and social stability.
The 25th meeting did not resolve the Iranian crisis. However, it showed that international cooperation still functions—not as abstract idealism, but as a practical mechanism to reduce risks, share burdens, and build collective resilience. For the people of Brunei, the outcome is not just a diplomatic document, but a real step toward more stable energy supply, safer waters, and a more sustainable economy.