GADONG, Tuesday, 23 June 2026 – The Opening Ceremony of the Indo-Pacific Senior Enlisted Leaders Subject Matter Expert Exchange 2026 (IPSEL SMEE 2026) was held at the Rizqun International Hotel, Gadong. The programme is jointly organised by the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS), United States of America, and co-hosted by the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF).
The ceremony was officiated by Yang Mulia Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan, Commander of the RBAF. Also in attendance were Yang Mulia Major General (Retired) Suzanne Puanani Vares-Lum, Director of DKI APCSS, senior military officers, senior enlisted leaders, and participants representing 19 countries from across the Indo-Pacific region.
During the ceremony, Warrant Officer 1 Rozain bin Haji Pungut, Sergeant Major of the RBAF, received recognition from the Director of DKI APCSS, through the presentation of the Laulima Alumni Excellence Award in recognition of his exemplary leadership and outstanding contributions towards strengthening trust-based relationships, advancing professional military exchanges, and enhancing regional cooperation across the Indo-Pacific region.
The IPSEL SMEE 2026 programme, which is being held from 22 to 27 June 2026, serves as a professional platform that brings together senior enlisted leaders from varios countries to exchange perspectives, share experiences, and discuss best practices in leadership, professional military development, and contemporary security issues affecting the Indo-Pacific region. The programme also provides opportunities to strengthen professional networks, enhance mutual understanding, and foster closer cooperation among the participating armed forces.
As the first IPSEL SMEE to be hosted in the region,its organisation reflects the growing recognition of the vital role played by senior enlisted leaders in strengthening military professionalism, enhancing operational effectiveness, and reinforceing institutional resilience. Through constructive dialogue and the sharing of experiences, participants are expected to gain a deeper insights into common challenges and opportunities facing their respective armed forces in an increasingly complex security environment.
The hosting of IPSEL SMEE 2026 further underscores Brunei Darussalam’s commitment to promoting defence diplomacy, fostering regional cooperation, and supporting efforts towards maintaining peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region. It also highlights the strong and enduring defence relationship between Brunei Darussalam and the United States, as well as the RBAF’s continued role as a reliable partner in advancing regional security cooperation.
MAJLIS PEMBUKAAN INDO-PACIFIC SENIOR ENLISTED LEADERS SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT EXCHANGE 2026 DI NEGARA BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
GADONG, Selasa, 23 Jun 2026 – Majlis Pembukaan Indo-Pacific Senior Enlisted Leaders Subject Matter Expert Exchange 2026 (IPSEL SMEE 2026) telah belangsung di Rizqun International Hotel, Gadong. Program ini dianjurkan bersama oleh Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS), Amerika Syarikat dan Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (ABDB) selaku pengerusi bersama.
Majlis tersebut telah disempurnakan oleh Yang Mulia Mejar Jeneral Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan, Pemerintah ABDB. Turut hadir ialah Yang Mulia Mejar Jeneral (Bersara) Suzanne Puanani Vares-Lum, Pengarah DKI APCSS, Pegawai-pegawai Kanan Tentera, pegawai tidak bertauliah kanan serta para peserta yang mewakili 19 buah negara dari seluruh rantau Indo-Pasifik.
Semasa majlis berkenaan, Pegawai Waran Satu Rozain bin Haji Pungut, Sarjan Mejar Angkatan Tentera ABDB, telah menerima pengiktirafan daripada Pengarah DKI APCSS melalui penganugerahan Laulima Alumni Excellence Award sebagai penghargaan terhadap kepimpinan cemerlang beliau serta sumbangan beliau dalam memperkukuhkan hubungan berasaskan kepercayaan, memajukan pertukaran profesional ketenteraan dan mempererat kerjasama serantau di rantau Indo-Pasifik.
Program IPSELL SMEE 2026 yang berlangsung dari 22 hingga 27 Jun 2026, berperanan sebagai platform profesional yang menghimpunkan pegawai tidak bertauliah kanan dari pelbagai negara bagi bertukar pandangan, berkongsi pengalaman serta membincangkan amalan-amalan terbaik dalam bidang kepimpinan, pembangunan profesional ketenteraan dan isu-isu keselamatan semasa yang memberi kesan kepada rantau Indo-Pasifik. Program ini juga menyediakan peluang untuk memperkukuhkan rangkaian profesional, meningkatkan persefahaman bersama serta menggalakkan kerjasama yang lebih erat dalam kalangan angkatan tentera negara-negara peserta.
Sebagai program IPSEL SMEE pertama yang dianjurkan di rantau ini, penganjurannya mencerminkan pengiktirafan yang semakin meningkat terhadap peranan penting pegawai tidak bertauliah kanan dalam memperkukuhkan profesionalisme ketenteraan, meningkatkan keberkesanan operasi dan memperkasa daya tahan institusi. Melalui sesi dialog yang konstruktif dan perkongsian pengalaman, para peserta dijangka akan memperoleh pemahaman yang lebih mendalam mengenai cabaran dan peluang yang dihadapi oleh angkatan tentera masing-masing dalam persekitaran keselamatan yang semakin kompleks.
Penganjuran IPSEL SMEE 2026 turut menegaskan komitmen Negara Brunei Darussalam dalam mempromosikan diplomasi pertahanan, memperkukuhkan kerjasama serantau serta menyokong usaha-usaha ke arah mengekalkan keamanan, kestabilan dan keselamatan di rantau Indo-Pasifik. Di samping itu, program ini juga mencerminkan hubungan pertahanan yang kukuh dan berkekalan di antara Negara Brunei Darussalam dan Amerika Syarikat serta peranan berterusan ABDB sebagai rakan kerjasama yang dipercayai dalam memajukan kerjasama keselamatan serantau.