As Brunei Darussalam continues to develop its coastal areas, protecting marine environments remains a national priority. In line with Brunei Vision 2035 and the nation’s Environmental Protection and Management Act, DHI Brunei co-organised a one-day workshop on Sustainable Environmental Planning for Coastal and Marine Development with the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation (JASTRe).

The workshop brought together around 60 participants from government agencies and the private sector, fostering cross-sector collaboration. It provided valuable insights into best practices, current challenges and innovative strategies for managing Brunei’s marine resources sustainably.

Guest of honour Haji Shaharuddin Khairul bin Haji Anuar, deputy permanent secretary (Infrastructure, Housing and Professional) at Brunei’s Ministry of Development, highlighted the nation’s growing focus on environmental protection. He stressed the need for sustainable planning to safeguard Brunei’s marine resources for future generations, aligning with national goals and addressing global environmental challenges.

DHI’s expertise at the forefront of coastal planning
DHI experts led several key sessions, drawing on their extensive experience from both regional and international coastal and marine projects:

• Liaw Lin Ji, Head of Environmental Solutions for DHI Brunei and Malaysia, delivered the keynote address. She emphasised the role of science-based planning in building climate resilience and achieving Brunei Vision 2035, as well as United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11, 13 and 14. 
• Jack Lee Vun Zac, DHI Malaysia country manager and coastal engineer, presented on sustainable shoreline management and coastal morphology in development planning
• Dr. Claus Pedersen, regional technical director, spoke on dredging practices and the use of numerical tools to assess impacts at river mouths and along shorelines
• Dr. Robert Scott Nichols, senior environmental consultant, shared strategies for responsible marine aquaculture, including monitoring systems that support water quality and regulatory compliance

Collaborating for resilient coastal development
The workshop served as a crucial platform for collaboration among developers, regulators and environmental professionals. Discussions focused on shoreline protection, dredging activities and marine aquaculture – key areas essential to Brunei’s coastal resilience and environmental sustainability.

‘Brunei’s coastal areas are under increasing pressure from development and climate change’, says Liaw Lin Ji. ‘Addressing these challenges requires integrated, science-based planning to ensure long-term resilience and sustainability.'

DHI remains committed to supporting Brunei with expert-driven, data-based solutions for sustainable marine and coastal development.