Azrina Zin
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
The British High Commission auspiciously marked the 93rd birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the Indera Samudera Grand Hall, The Empire Hotel and Country Club yesterday.
The event which aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between both countries entertained its guests with sustainability-themed celebration centered around the slogan “Green is Great”.
British High Commissioner to Brunei Richard Lindsay, in his welcoming speech, lauded the strong and sustainable relationship between the monarchies.
“We have chosen sustainability as a theme because it reflects so many of the values which are part of the close relationship between the United Kingdom and Brunei Darussalam,” he said.
He further acknowledged the friendship between the two countries over the past years and earnestly hoped that the existing cooperative relations between both is further strengthened towards a sustainable future.
“Sustainability of our political relationship allow us to work together with our differences on law and human rights,” said the high commissioner.
During the celebration, the high commission managed to bring the heart of London closer to Brunei by decorating the hall with iconic features replicating the London Square surrounded by park benches, red telephone box and post box.
The event further wowed guests with a beautifully decorated birthday cake shaped as the majestic Buckingham Palace placed in the middle of the London Square.
The highlight of the evening was the “Green Wall” where guests were invited to give their personal suggestions on how Brunei can become more sustainable and bring a succulent home.
Not only that, guests were given tote bags made completely from recycled plastic bottles and filled with UK’s best cookies and confectioneries courtesy of Supa Save.
In keeping up with the green theme, eco-marathon cars from UBD were also featured at the event and guests also get to experience a virtual reality demonstration of low carbon gas technology as well as a demonstration on how the key energy consuming sectors of transport, industry, power and buildings can become carbon neutral.
The night then concluded with an upbeat performance of pipes and drums from the 3rd Battalion Royal Brunei Land Forces and 2nd Battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles.
Present at the celebration was Minister of Home Affairs Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Hj Awg Abu Bakar Hj Apong.
The Bruneian
