1. The Honourable Chief Justice Dato Seri Paduka Steven Chong together with a delegation of
senior judicial officers from the Brunei Darussalam Judiciary attended the 11th Meeting of The
Council of ASEAN Chief Justices (CACJ) from 18
th to 21
st November 2024 in Cebu, Philippines.
2. The successful convening of the 11th CACJ meeting, marked another milestone in fostering
judicial cooperation and enhancing the rule of law across the ASEAN region. The meeting
brought together the Chief Justices and representatives of the judiciary from all the ASEAN
member states to advance regional collaboration, strengthen the rule of law, and address
emerging judicial challenges.
3. The annual CACJ meeting, which was hosted this year by The Chief Justice of Philippines, The
Honourable Alexander G. Gesmundo and the Philippines Judiciary and chaired by The Chief
Justice of Malaysia, The Right Honourable Tun Tengku Maimun binti Tuan Mat, highlighted the
vital role of the judiciary in upholding legal certainty, regional integration, and socio-economic
stability within ASEAN. The meeting served as a platform to review ongoing programs, discuss
emerging challenges, and chart the future direction of the CACJ’s collaborative efforts.
4. The 11th CACJ Meeting highlighted significant advancements in judicial cooperation and
innovation across ASEAN. Key discussions included:
a. Progress on regional Judicial initiatives;
b. Digital transformation in the Judiciary focused on leveraging technology to enhance
judicial efficiency and accessibility;
c. Capacity- Building Programs with Member states sharing best practices and explored
opportunities for collaboration in judicial training and education;
d. Judicial Independence and Ethics
5. The CACJ reaffirmed its dedication to promoting regional peace and prosperity through judicial
cooperation. The meeting concluded with the adoption of resolutions aimed at advancing CACJ’s
objectives and strengthening its role as a key regional mechanism for judicial collaboration.
