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Foreign relations of Brunei

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Brunei maintains diplomatic relations with 171 out of 193 countries, joined ASEAN on 7 January 1984, one week after resuming full independence, and gives its ASEAN membership the highest priority in its foreign relations. Brunei joined the United Nations in September 1984. It is also a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum and the Commonwealth of Nations. Brunei hosted the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in November 2000. In 2005 it attended the inaugural East Asia Summit.

Brunei has a number of diplomatic missions abroad and has close relations with Singapore, sharing an interchangeable currency regime as well as close military relations with the latter island-state. Aside from relations with other ASEAN states, of which the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia are key partners, Brunei also has extensive relations with the Muslim world and the Arab world outside its own region.

International organizations

Brunei became a member state of the Commonwealth in 1984,[1] ASEAN and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in 1984,[2] the 7th member of the ASEAN-Japan Centre in 1990,[3] the 159th United Nations member on 21 September 1985,[4] a major player in BIMP-EAGA in 1994,[5] and a founding member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995.[6] Since 2009, Brunei and the Philippines signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that seeks to strengthen the bilateral co-operation of the two countries in the fields of agriculture and farm-related trade and investments.[7]

Diplomatic relations

List of countries which Brunei maintains diplomatic relations with:

More information #, Country ...
#CountryDate[8]
1 Australia 1 January 1984[9]
2 Chile 1 January 1984[10]
3 Indonesia 1 January 1984[11]
4 Malaysia 1 January 1984[12]
5 Philippines 1 January 1984[13]
6 Singapore 1 January 1984[14]
7 South Korea 1 January 1984[15]
8 Thailand 1 January 1984[16]
9 United Kingdom 1 January 1984[17]
10 Germany 30 January 1984[18]
11   Nepal 3 February 1984[19]
12 Pakistan 9 February 1984[20]
13 United States 10 March 1984[21]
14 Oman 24 March 1984[20]
15 Maldives 31 March 1984[22]
16 Japan 2 April 1984[20]
17 Sri Lanka 3 April 1984[23]
18 Papua New Guinea 1 May 1984[20]
19 Egypt 2 May 1984[20]
20 Belgium 3 May 1984[20]
21 Bangladesh 5 May 1984[20]
22 New Zealand 5 May 1984[20]
23 Canada 7 May 1984[24]
24 France 8 May 1984[20]
25 India 10 May 1984[20]
26 Brazil 8 June 1984[25]
27 Turkey 27 June 1984[20]
28 Spain June 1984[26]
29 Norway 12 October 1984[27]
30  Switzerland November 1984[28]
31 Yemen 28 December 1984[29]
32 Sweden 1984[30]
33 Denmark 24 January 1985[31]
34 Jordan 18 February 1985[20]
35 Italy 15 April 1985[32]
36 Netherlands 21 April 1985[33]
37 Austria 2 December 1985[34]
38 Greece 6 May 1986[34]
39 Ireland 6 May 1986[34]
40 Malta 15 August 1986[35]
41 Saudi Arabia 1 July 1987[20]
42 Morocco 28 May 1988[20]
43 Bahrain 24 September 1988[20]
44 Finland 11 November 1988[36]
45 Iran 1 May 1990[20]
46 Iraq 1 May 1990[37]
47 Kuwait 1 May 1990[20]
48 Mali 1 May 1990[38]
49 Niger 1 May 1990[38]
50 Seychelles 1 May 1990[38]
51 Tonga 1 May 1990[39]
52 Tunisia 1 May 1990[40]
53 Peru 1 June 1990[41]
54 Guyana 20 June 1990[42]
55 Mauritius 2 July 1990[43]
56 China 30 September 1991
57 Russia 1 October 1991
58 Mexico 2 October 1991
59 Qatar 2 October 1991
60 Senegal 25 November 1991
61 Ghana 10 December 1991[44]
62 Honduras 20 December 1991
63 Burkina Faso 21 January 1992
64 Hungary 21 January 1992
65 Federated States of Micronesia 23 February 1992[45]
66 Vietnam 29 February 1992[20]
67 Czech Republic 2 March 1992
68 Colombia 24 March 1992[46]
69 Argentina 24 April 1992[47]
70 Eswatini 11 May 1992[48]
71 Mongolia 18 May 1992[49]
72 Solomon Islands 21 May 1992
73 United Arab Emirates 28 May 1992
74 Cambodia 9 June 1992[20]
75 San Marino 10 June 1992[50]
76 Madagascar 20 October 1992
77 Nigeria 1 December 1992[51]
78 Laos 27 July 1993[20]
79 Myanmar 21 September 1993
80 Bosnia and Herzegovina 25 January 1994[52]
81 Albania 27 January 1994[53]
82 Benin 1 March 1994[54]
83 Bulgaria 14 April 1994
84 Costa Rica 14 April 1994
85 Romania 15 April 1994
86 Lebanon 18 May 1994[55]
— State of Palestine 3 June 1994[56]
87 Ivory Coast 3 June 1994[56]
88 Guinea-Bissau 3 June 1994[56]
89 Zimbabwe 7 September 1994[57]
90 Uruguay 19 September 1994
91 Algeria 24 January 1995[58]
92 Sierra Leone 10 July 1995
93 Azerbaijan 24 November 1995[59]
94 Marshall Islands 17 January 1996[60]
95 Kyrgyzstan 15 March 1996
96 Poland 20 March 1996
97 Portugal 22 March 1996
98 Panama 28 March 1996
99 Paraguay 8 April 1996
100 Slovakia 4 June 1996
101 Mozambique 18 June 1996
102 Uzbekistan 20 June 1996[61]
103 Namibia 27 June 1996
104 South Africa 4 October 1996[62]
105 Cyprus 6 November 1996[63]
106 Cuba 4 April 1997[64]
107 Slovenia 28 April 1997[65]
108 Gabon June 1997[66]
109 Ukraine 3 October 1997
110 Croatia 1 May 1998
111 Nicaragua July 1998[67]
112 Sudan August 1998[67]
113 North Korea 7 January 1999[68]
114 Comoros 16 February 1999
115 Suriname 22 February 1999[69]
116 Turkmenistan 22 February 1999[70]
117 Lesotho 30 March 2000[71]
118 Republic of the Congo 15 May 2000
119 Kazakhstan 14 June 2000
120 Latvia 14 July 2000[72]
121 El Salvador 28 August 2000
122 Tanzania 6 October 2000[54]
123 Malawi 11 October 2000[73]
124 Ecuador 19 March 2001
125 Lithuania 27 April 2001[74]
126 Armenia 15 April 2002[75]
127 Timor-Leste 20 May 2002[76]
128 Syria 31 August 2002[77]
129 Belarus 4 November 2002
130 Togo 3 December 2002[78]
131 Zambia 3 February 2003
132 Luxembourg 18 July 2003
133 Uganda 21 October 2003
134 Eritrea 13 May 2004
135 Tajikistan 2 June 2004
136 Guatemala 30 June 2004
137 Venezuela 13 July 2005
138 Samoa 8 February 2006[79]
139 Libya 15 March 2005[80]
140 Iceland 27 April 2006
141 Estonia 1 May 2006[81]
142 Angola 18 October 2006
143 Moldova 18 October 2006
144 Afghanistan 14 February 2007[82]
145 North Macedonia 1 August 2007[83]
146 Guinea 8 August 2007[84]
147 Mauritania 23 October 2007[85]
148 Kenya 11 August 2008[86]
149 Grenada 29 January 2009
150 Trinidad and Tobago 24 November 2009
151 Antigua and Barbuda 21 December 2009
152 Montenegro 18 January 2010
153 Georgia 1 March 2010
154 Dominican Republic 10 August 2010[87]
155 Fiji 25 April 2011
156 Andorra 16 June 2011
157 Jamaica 20 June 2011
158 Monaco 22 June 2011[88]
159 Liechtenstein 25 November 2011[89]
160 Serbia 5 December 2011
161 Palau 16 December 2011[90]
162 Djibouti 9 November 2012[91]
163 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 27 May 2015
164 Gambia 21 January 2016[92]
165 Kiribati 26 January 2016[93]
166 Bahamas 21 November 2016
— Kosovo 20 February 2017[94]
167 Saint Kitts and Nevis 21 February 2017
168 Dominica 22 January 2020
169 Rwanda 9 December 2020
170 Bhutan 13 July 2026
171 Chad Unknown
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Bilateral relations

More information Country, Formal relations began ...
Country Formal relations began Notes
Australia1 January 1984
Main article: Australia–Brunei relations

Australia and Brunei Darussalam enjoy a warm, and increasingly diverse bilateral relationship. Australian servicemen liberated Brunei from Japanese occupation in June 1945. A memorial marking this event can be found at Muara Beach and is the venue for the annual ANZAC Day ceremony organised by the High Commission. Both countries are also participating in the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations which commenced in 2010, with participants aiming to conclude an agreement which will serve as a building block for Asia Pacific economic integration.

Brunei has a High Commission in Canberra, and Australia has one in Bandar Seri Begawan.[95] Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations. Relations between the two countries were established in 1984 when Australia became one of the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with Brunei.[95][96][97]

Cambodia9 June 1992
Main article: Brunei–Cambodia relations

Brunei has an embassy in Phnom Penh, and Cambodia has an embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan.[98] Relations were established on 9 June 1992.[98]

Canada1 January 1984
Main article: Brunei–Canada relations

Canada established diplomatic relations with Brunei Darussalam on 7 May 1984, following Brunei's independence.[99][100] Brunei has a High Commission in Ottawa, and Canada has a High Commission in Bandar Seri Begawan.[100] Like Brunei, Canada is a full member of the Commonwealth of Nations..

China30 September 1991Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 September 1991
Main article: Brunei–China relations

Brunei has an embassy in Beijing, and China has an embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan.[101] Relations can be traced back to over 2,000 years ago, as early as the Western Han periods.[102]

France8 May 1984
Main article: Brunei–France relations

Brunei has an embassy in Paris, and France has an embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan.[103] Relations between the two countries have been established since 8 May 1984.[103]

Germany30 January 1984
Main article: Brunei–Germany relations

Brunei has an embassy in Berlin, and Germany has an embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan.[104] Relations between the two countries has been established since 1 May 1984.[104][105]

India10 May 1984
Main article: Brunei–India relations

Brunei has a High Commission in New Delhi, and India has a High Commission in Bandar Seri Begawan.[106] Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations. Relations have been established since 10 May 1984.[106]

Indonesia1 January 1984
Main article: Brunei–Indonesia relations

Republic of Indonesia established diplomatic relations with Brunei Darussalam on 1 January 1984.[107]

Iran1 May 1990
Japan2 April 1984
Main article: Brunei–Japan relations
Embassy of Japan in Bandar Seri Begawan

Brunei has an embassy in Tokyo, and Japan has an embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan.[108] Relations were established on 2 April 1984.[108]

Laos27 July 1993
Main article: Brunei–Laos relations

Brunei has an embassy in Vientiane, and Laos has an embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan.[109] Relations were established on 27 July 1993.[109]

Malaysia1 January 1984
Main article: Brunei–Malaysia relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations since January 1984 with Brunei has a High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, and Malaysia has a High Commission in Bandar Seri Begawan.[110] Like Brunei, Malaysia is a full member of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Mexico2 October 1991Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 October 1991
  • Brunei is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C.[111]
  • Mexico is accredited to Brunei from its embassy in Singapore.[112]
Myanmar21 September 1993Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 September 1993
Main article: Brunei–Myanmar relations

Brunei has an embassy in Yangon, and Myanmar has an embassy in Gadong.[113] Relations were established on 21 September 1993.[113]

New Zealand5 May 1984
Main article: Brunei–New Zealand relations

The Bruneian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur is accredited to New Zealand, while the New Zealand High Commission in Kuala Lumpur is cross-accredited to Brunei.[114] Relations has been established since 5 May 1984 and have always been friendly and positive with such co-operation in education trade and defence.[115]

North Korea7 January 1999

In August 2013 Brunei's Foreign Affairs and Vice-Minister, Prince Mohamed Bolkiah arrived in Pyongyang. Brunei is represented in North Korea, through its embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

North Korea established diplomatic relations with Brunei on 7 January 1999.[116]

Oman24 March 1984
Main article: Brunei–Oman relations

Brunei has an embassy in Muscat, and Oman has an embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan.[117] Relations has been established since 24 March 1984.[117]

Pakistan9 February 1984
Main article: Brunei–Pakistan relations

Pakistan has a High Commission in Bandar Seri Begawan and Brunei has a High Commission in Islamabad. Pakistan initially hesitated to recognise the country at first since its close relations with Malaysia which what they considered as part of the Federation of Malaysia but later established relations on 9 February 1984 when Malaysia established relations with the country.[118]

Philippines1 January 1984
Main article: Brunei–Philippines relations

Relations between Brunei and the natives of a then divided Philippines under a classical era started since the 10th to 13th centuries and continued even under the colonial regimes. Relations continued through the Sultanate of Sulu. Post World War II relations between the two countries has been re-established since January 1984.[119] In April 2009, Brunei and The Philippines signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that seeks to strengthen the bilateral co-operation of the two countries in the fields of agriculture and farm-related trade and investments.[120] The MOU further strengthened bilateral co-operation between the two Southeast Asian countries, particularly in the fields of agriculture and farm-related trade and investments.[121] The two countries have agreed to co-operate in plant science, crops technology, vegetable and fruit preservation, biotechnology, post-harvest technology, livestock, organic agriculture, irrigation and water resources and Halal industry. Brunei is viewed by the Philippines as a key ASEAN and Islamic ally. While Brunei view the Philippines as an ASEAN and Christian ally with a Muslim minority. [122]

Qatar2 October 1991Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 October 1991
Main article: Brunei–Qatar relations

Brunei has an embassy in Doha, and Qatar has an embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan.[123]

Russia1 October 1991Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 October 1991
Main article: Brunei–Russia relations

Brunei maintains an embassy in Moscow, the Russian embassy in Brunei was established in March 2010.

Singapore1 January 1984
Main article: Brunei–Singapore relations

The official relations between the two countries have been established since 1984.[124] Brunei and Singapore agreed to have Singapore train its armed forces with Brunei. Like Brunei, Singapore is a full member of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Brunei and Singapore have a currency agreement that the currencies of both countries can be used in either of the two countries. The Brunei dollar and the Singapore dollar are maintained at par.

In August 2005, Brunei's Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister, Prince Mohamed Bolkiah arrived in Singapore for a three-day visit during which the two countries signed an agreement to eliminate double taxation, paving the way for further bilateral trade and investment.[125]

The Royal Brunei Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy conduct an annual Exercise Pelican signifying strong ties between the two navies.

South Korea1 January 1984
Main article: Brunei–South Korea relations

Brunei has an embassy in Seoul, and South Korea has an embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan.[126] South Korea established diplomatic relations with Brunei on 1 June 1984 right after the country gained independence from the United Kingdom on 1 January on that year.[126][127]

Thailand1 January 1984
Main article: Brunei–Thailand relations

Brunei has an embassy in Bangkok, and Thailand has an embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan.[128] The relations have always been close and cordial.[129]

United Kingdom1 January 1984
Main article: Brunei–United Kingdom relations
Prime Minister Keir Starmer with Bruneian Sultanate Hassanal Bolkiah in Downing Street, December 2024.

Brunei established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 1 January 1984.[17]

The UK governed Brunei from 1888 to 1984, when Brunei achieved full independence.[132]

Both countries share common membership of the Commonwealth, CPTPP, the United Nations, and the World Trade Organization. Bilaterally the two countries have a Double Taxation Agreement.[133]

The UK and Brunei have a long-standing and strong bilateral relationship, particularly on defence co-operation, trade and education. The UK continues to play a strong role in developing Brunei's oil and gas sector, and the Brunei Investment Agency is a significant investor in the UK, with their largest overseas operations in the City of London. The UK remains the destination of choice for Bruneian students, with about 1,220 of them enrolled in higher education in the UK in 2006–07.[needs update] The Brunei royal family have strong ties to the UK, more specifically Birchwood, a suburb of Warrington.

United States10 March 1984
Main article: Brunei–United States relations

The US welcomed Brunei Darussalam's full independence from the United Kingdom on 1 January 1984, and opened an embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan on that date. Brunei opened its embassy in Washington, D.C. in March 1984. Brunei's armed forces engage in joint exercises, training programs, and other military co-operation with the USA memorandum of understanding on defence co-operation was signed on 29 November 1994. The Sultan of Brunei visited Washington in December 2002.

Vietnam29 February 1992
Main article: Brunei–Vietnam relations

Relations between the two countries have been established since 29 February 1992.[134] Brunei has an embassy in Hanoi, and Vietnam has an embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan.[134] Relations between the two countries have always been friendly especially in the political field.[135]

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