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 has arrived in Kigali, Rwanda to attend the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) held today and tomorrow.

Accompanying His Majesty is His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.

His Majesty was welcomed at the airport by the Rwanda Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Dr Vincent Biruta.

Also present at the airport to greet His Majesty were Minister of Foreign Affairs II Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd Yusof and High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam to the United Kingdom and Eire First Admiral (Rtd) Pengiran Dato Seri Pahlawan Norazmi bin Pengiran Haji Muhammad.

While in Kigali, His Majesty is also expected to attend the Official Welcome Reception and State Dinner to be hosted by President of Rwanda Paul Kagame; and a dinner hosted by the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles.

Meanwhile, His Majesty, accompanied by His Royal Highness, made a courtesy call to President Kagame at Urugwiro Village (Presidential Office), Kigali. His Majesty and President Kagame exchanged views on matters of mutual interest during the meeting.

Bilateral relations between Rwanda and the Sultanate began on December 9, 2020.

Brunei Darussalam became the 49th member of the Commonwealth when it regained independence in 1984.

Since then, the country has participated in several CHOGM meetings which is a platform for discussing international issues and promoting bilateral relations, including in education, finance, health, law, women and youth.

The country has also gained vast benefits from the assistance and training provided by the Commonwealth in areas of trade, industry and human resource development.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin