PAPEETE, TAHITI, TUESDAY, 24 MARCH 2026 – Captain Mohammad Faizal Ezam bin Haji Abas, RBN, Chief of Staff of the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN), led a delegation to the Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) Workshop 2026, held from 24 to 27 March 2026.
The workshop was officially opened by Rear Admiral Guillaume Pinget, Commander of the French Armed Forces in French Polynesia. In his opening remarks, RAdm Pinget introduced this year’s theme, "Cooperation for a Resilient Pacific," emphasising that the symposium offers a unique platform to transform high-level dialogue into tangible action.
RAdm Pinget stressed that to address today's complex maritime landscape, member nations must prioritise interoperability, information sharing, and the adoption of common procedures and best practices. He highlighted an array of evolving challenges, including great power competition, technological rights, the emergence of non-state actors, and hybrid or illicit activities. Furthermore, he noted that the growing effects of climate change and the increasing frequency of natural disasters continue to put significant pressure on regional resources, directly challenging the resilience of WPNS member nations.
Throughout the session, WPNS members and observers engaged in high-level dialogue regarding shared maritime interests and the shifting regional security environment. These discussions were instrumental in identifying strategic avenues to bolster naval cooperation and strengthen operational synergy among participating forces.
Since the establishment of WPNS in 1988, RBN continues to demonstrate a steadfast commitment to regional maritime security. Building on its successful tenure as the host of the 2019 workshop, the RBN remains a key driver in fostering multilateral cooperation and diplomatic engagement. The WPNS continues to serve as a vital framework for building trust and enhancing operational capacity through structured dialogue. Looking ahead, the upcoming sessions in New Zealand (2027) represent pivotal opportunities for the RBN to further advance international collaboration toward a more resilient and secure Pacific.
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BENGKEL WESTERN PACIFIC NAVAL SYMPOSIUM DI PAPEETE, TAHITI, FRENCH POLYNESIA
PAPEETE, TAHITI, SELASA, 24 MAC 2026 - Kepten Mohammad Faizal Ezam bin Haji Abas, TLDB, Ketua Staf Tentera Laut Diraja Brunei (TLDB), telah mengetuai delegasi TLDB ke Bengkel Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) 2026 yang berlangsung dari 24 hingga 27 Mac 2026.
Bengkel tersebut telah dirasmikan oleh Laksamana Muda Guillaume Pinget, Pemerintah Angkatan Tentera Perancis di French Polynesia. Dalam ucapan perasmiannya, Laksamana Muda Pinget memperkenalkan tema tahun ini, "Cooperation for a Resilient Pacific", sambil menekankan bahawa simposium ini merupakan platform unik untuk membentuk dialog peringkat tinggi kepada tindakan yang nyata.
Laksamana Muda Pinget menegaskan bahawa bagi menangani landskap maritim masa kini yang kompleks, negara-negara ahli WPNS perlu mengutamakan interoperability, perkongsian maklumat, serta common procedures dan best practises. Beliau turut menekankan pelbagai cabaran yang sedang berkembang, termasuk persaingan kuasa-kuasa hebat (Major Power Competition), hak teknologi, kemunculan non-state actors, serta aktiviti-aktiviti hybrid dan illicit. Selain itu, beliau menyatakan bahawa kesan pemanasan global dan peningkatan bencana alam terus memberi tekanan besar terhadap sumber serantau, yang secara langsung menguji daya tahan negara-negara ahli WPNS.
Sepanjang sesi tersebut, ahli-ahli dan pemerhati WPNS telah terlibat dalam dialog peringkat tinggi mengenai kepentingan maritim bersama dan persekitaran keselamatan serantau yang sedang berubah. Perbincangan ini memainkan peranan penting dalam mengenal pasti hala tuju strategik bagi memperkukuh kerjasama ketenteraan laut dan memantapkan sinergi operasi antara angkatan tentera yang mengambil bahagian.
Sejak penubuhan WPNS pada tahun 1988, TLDB terus mempamerkan komitmen yang tidak berbelah bahagi terhadap keselamatan maritim serantau. Berdasarkan kejayaan sebagai tuan rumah bengkel tersebut pada tahun 2019, TLDB kekal sebagai penggerak utama dalam memupuk kerjasama pelbagai hala dan penglibatan diplomatik. WPNS terus berfungsi sebagai kerangka penting untuk membina kepercayaan dan meningkatkan kapasiti operasi melalui dialog yang tersusun. Melangkah ke hadapan, sesi akan datang di New Zealand (2027) melambangkan peluang penting bagi TLDB untuk terus memajukan kolaborasi antarabangsa ke arah rantau Pasifik yang lebih berdaya tahan dan selamat.
