Source : Press Release MCYS
BERAKAS, 2 Jamadilakhir 1447 / 23 November 2025 — Brunei Darussalam today marked a significant regional milestone with the official launching and flag-off of the Inaugural BIMP-EAGA Youth Bus Programme 2025, bringing together youth from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines for a multi-destination learning journey across the subregion.
The ceremony was officiated by Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi Mohamad, The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Brunei Darussalam. In his address, Yang Berhormat highlighted that the programme reflects the shared commitment of BIMP-EAGA member countries to empower young people as future leaders of regional cooperation. He emphasised that youth are not merely beneficiaries of development, but active contributors to regional progress, especially in a world shaped by rapid economic transformation and cross-border interconnectivity.
The Youth Bus Programme provides participants with hands-on exposure through community visits, institutional briefings, cultural exchanges, and interactive sessions with youth entrepreneurs and local industries. These engagements aim to deepen understanding of the diverse strengths across BIMP-EAGA, including digital innovation, ecotourism, agriculture, creative industries, and sustainable enterprise.
Designed to strengthen people-to-people connectivity, the programme supports BIMP-EAGA's broader vision of fostering regional cohesion, cross-cultural understanding, and long-term collaboration among youth. Participants will gain insight into the economic linkages and shared development priorities of the subregion, while building friendships, networks, and a deeper sense of regional identity.
In his remarks, the Minister also underscored Brunei Darussalam's continued commitment to youth development, noting that opportunities such as this help nurture leadership, creativity, resilience, and global-mindedness among young people. He encouraged participants to embrace the journey with curiosity, respect, and openness, and to bring back home the knowledge and inspiration gained for the benefit of their community and the subregional development.
The Government of Brunei Darussalam extended its appreciation to the organizing committees, partner agencies, and co-host governments in particular Sabah and Sarawak for their collaboration and contributions in making the initiative possible.
Following the official flag-off, the youth delegation departed to commence their regional journey, symbolizing the shared hope of all BIMP-EAGA members for a more connected, innovative, and vibrant young generation.
