Brunei Creative Scene: Kreative Fest 2027 is set to bring Brunei’s artists and creators together, with a Kreative Fest Tour starting in November to reach more communities and audiences. Cybersecurity: CySec 2026 has launched under “Resilient by Design,” pushing stronger protection for Brunei’s critical infrastructure as government and industry align on cyber resilience. Inclusive Education: International School Brunei opened its Centre for Inclusive Learning (CIL) Bandar in Kg Sungai Hanching, expanding specialist support for children with diverse learning needs. Regional Environment & Haze: Indonesia’s wildfire haze continues to disrupt daily life across Borneo and beyond, with hazardous air readings and school disruptions linked to cross-border smoke. ASEAN–China Connectivity: The Pinglu Canal’s opening is framed as a major shift in Asean–China economic links, shortening routes between southwestern China and Southeast Asia. Arts & Tourism (Labuan): Labuan’s Borneo Arts Festival (BAF) 2026 expects over 30,000 visitors from Sept 25–27, boosting local tourism and the island’s creative economy. Defence Diplomacy (Malaysia): Malaysia says it will keep prioritising defence diplomacy and ASEAN centrality, including engagement with partners such as Brunei.