20 September 2011: The Inaugural Brunei Darussalam-US Senior Officials Dialogue was held in Washington, DC, US, on 20 September 2011, with discussions including climate change and biodiversity cooperation.

The two sides adopted a joint statement, in which they explain that the Dialogue serves to further enhance their bilateral relations and ensure regular, high-level communication and coordination between the two Governments. Both sides decided that the Dialogue would be held annually with each country hosting alternate meetings.

The co-chairs highlighted, inter alia: promising areas for cooperation in biodiversity which can serve to increase science and research partnerships; a desire to focus in the coming year on cooperation related to disaster management; and joint collaboration on climate change. The two sides plan to hold the next meeting in Brunei Darussalam in 2012. [Inaugural Brunei Darussalam – United States Senior Officials Dialogue 2011 Joint Statement]