Brunei Concludes Ocean Exhibition 2025 with Emphasis on Marine Conservation and Youth Engagement
Bandar Seri Begawan, The Gulf Observer: Brunei Darussalam celebrated the final day of the Brunei Ocean Exhibition 2025 at OneCity Shopping Centre yesterday, marking a significant culmination of Ocean Week Brunei in conjunction with World Ocean Day.
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT), Hajah Tutiaty binti Haji Abdul Wahab, graced the occasion as guest of honour. In her remarks, she highlighted Brunei’s rich and diverse marine ecosystem, emphasizing the critical importance of responsible stewardship and continuous conservation to safeguard the country’s natural marine treasures for future generations.
The event commenced with opening remarks by Chief Executive Officer of Poni Divers, Mohd Tahsin Wong, who celebrated the growing ocean community in Brunei, driven by youth involvement, sustainable tourism, and ocean science. He introduced the week’s events and spotlighted recent developments, including coral restoration, solutions for ghost nets, marine conservation tourism products, and ocean-themed art workshops.
A musical performance by young ocean ambassadors was followed by a feature video highlighting the Brunei Ocean Shootout (BOSH) workshops conducted in six schools, engaging 115 students in ocean art and environmental education.
The BOSH Awards Ceremony honored outstanding talent in ocean and underwater photography. Nur Hayati Syamimi won the Beach and Mangrove Habitat category with a photo from Selirong Mangrove, while Nadzirah Malek-Webb took first place in the Nudibranch Portrait category for her vivid portrayal of Brunei’s macro marine life. The awards were presented by Acting Director of Tourism Development Salinah binti Haji Mohd Salleh and Mohd Tahsin Wong.
The exhibition also featured a variety of ocean-themed talks and workshops, including:
- ‘Championing Beach Conservation in Brunei’ by Rizan Latif from Beach Bunch
- Glass art painting by Artisan Abadi
- Wood burning workshop by Zul Ng
Evening sessions offered deeper insights into environmental advocacy with talks such as:
- ‘Tebalik Plastik’ by Mims Sidi on plastic pollution
- ‘Life Before Plastic Bottles’ by Ann Williams of Poni Foundation
- ‘Light & Story’ by Zul Ng on storytelling in conservation
- ‘Giving Back to Mother Nature Through Sports’ by Alan Tan
- ‘How to Fail at Advocacy & Community Projects (So You Don’t Have To)’ by Fatnin Syahirah, offering lessons from real-world conservation experiences
The event was jointly organized by Poni Divers, Poni Foundation, and Laut Brunei, in collaboration with the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, also serving as co-organiser for the World Ocean Day Celebration. The exhibition was officially endorsed as part of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, with support from the Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) and its Brunei Country Hub.
Distinguished guests included Ambassador of Timor-Leste to Brunei Darussalam Abel Guterres, Deputy High Commissioner of the United Kingdom Catherine Pochkhanavala-Cleeve, and Acting Director of Fisheries Hajah Wanidawati binti Haji Tamat.
The successful conclusion of the exhibition underscored Brunei’s commitment to marine conservation, community involvement, and regional leadership in sustainable ocean practices.
