MFA Press Statement: Visit by Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of Community, Culture and Youth Sam Tan to Alaska, United States of America, 26 April to 1 May 2015

            Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Community, Culture and Youth Sam Tan made a working visit to Anchorage and Fairbanks in the State of Alaska, United States of America, from 26 April to 1 May 2015 in connection with Singapore’s interest to work closely with the US on issues relating to the Arctic region during the US Chairmanship of the Arctic Council from 2015 to 2017.

            In Anchorage, Mr Tan held discussions with Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Mr Larry Hartig and Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development (DCCED) Mr Chris Hladick.  They reaffirmed the good relations between Singapore and the US, in particular the State of Alaska, and exchanged views on developments in the Arctic.  Mr Tan also obtained a briefing by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA), led by its Executive Director Mr John Springsteen, on AIDEA’s mission to advance economic growth and diversification in Alaska.  Mr Tan also renewed his contacts with US Special Advisor on Arctic Policy and Science and Chair of the US Arctic Research Commission Ms Frances Ulmer to exchange perspectives on the priorities of the US in the area of Arctic science and research during its Arctic Council Chairmanship. 

            Mr Tan renewed warm ties with other thought-leaders and opinion-shapers on Arctic issues in Alaska, including the State’s former Lieutenant-Governor Mr Mead Treadwell as well as publisher of the Alaska Dispatch newspaper and co-founder of the Arctic Circle Ms Alice Rogoff.  Mr Tan also hosted dinner for Alaska-based leaders of the Arctic Council Permanent Participants including the Inuit Circumpolar Council, the Arctic Athabaskan Council and the Aleut International Association.

            In Fairbanks, accompanied by National University of Singapore (NUS) Provost and Vice-President (Academic Affairs) Prof Tan Eng Chye and Vice-Provost (Special Duties) Prof Chan Eng Soon, Mr Tan met University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Chancellor Dr Brian Rogers and Vice-Chancellor for University and Student Advancement Dr Michael Sfraga.  Mr Tan received briefings on key areas of Arctic research conducted by UAF institutes including the International Arctic Research Centre and the Geophysical Institute, and facilitated discussions between NUS and UAF on possibilities for academic and research collaborations through a Memorandum of Understanding.

            Mr Tan departs for Singapore today.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
30 APRIL 2015