MFA Press Statement: Appointment of Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia and Non-Resident Ambassador to the Swiss Confederation

The Government has appointed Mr Michael Tan Keng Siong as Singapore’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia and Mr Andrew Toh Chong Siong as Singapore’s Non-Resident Ambassador to the Swiss Confederation. 

Mr Michael Tan Keng Siong will assume duty on 27 June 2016.  He joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in June 1993 and last served as Chief of Protocol from June 2012 to May 2016.  Mr Tan graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) from National University of Singapore in 1993.  He was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Silver) in 2015.

Mr Andrew Toh Chong Siong is concurrently Singapore’s Non-Resident Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.   He had a long and distinguished career with the United Nations from 1980 to 2008 during which he held several senior appointments including as Assistant Secretary-General in the Office for Central Support Services from 2003 to 2007.  Mr Toh also served as Director for the Management Services Division of the World Food Programme (WFP) from 1996 to 1998 and as WFP’s Representative for Angola and South Africa from 1995 to 1996.  Mr Toh graduated with a Bachelor of Social Science degree from the University of Singapore in 1969.  He was awarded the Public Service Star at the National Day Award in 2015.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

19 MAY 2016

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BIOGRAPHICAL SUMMARY

Mr Andrew Toh is currently Singapore’s Non-Resident Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Mr Andrew Toh was born in Singapore on 28 June 1947.  He graduated with a Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) degree from the then University of Singapore in 1969.

Mr Toh spent most of his working life overseas with the United Nations.  He held several senior appointments at the UN headquarters in New York, including as Assistant Secretary-General, Office for Central Support Services from 2003 to 2007, Director, Facilities and Commercial Services Division in 2001, Chief, Management and Information Branch, Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs from 1998 to 2000 and Chief, Procurement Division, in 2000.   Mr. Toh retired from the UN in May 2008.

Mr Toh was appointed Director, Management Services Division, for the World Food Programme (WFP) from 1996 to 1998.  He held various appointments for WFP including field positions as WFP Representative for Angola and South Africa based in Luanda from 1995 to 1996, Chief, Logistics Service from 1984 to 1995 and Shipping Officer in Rome from 1980 to 1984.

Mr Toh also served in other appointments largely in the field of logistics and shipping such as Director and Managing Director of Ocean Terminal Services and Orient Container Services from 1978 to 1980, General Manager, Containerisation & Packaging Industries from 1975 to 1978, Manager at Jurong Marine Base and Borneo Shipping from 1970 to 1972 and 1972 to 1975 respectively, as well as Administrative Officer, Jurong Town Corporation from 1969 to 1970.

Mr Toh was awarded the Public Service Star at the National Day Award in 2015.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SUMMARY

Mr Michael Tan Keng Siong last held the post of Chief of Protocol in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from June 2012 to May 2016.

Mr Tan graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) from National University of Singapore in 1993.

Mr Tan joined the Singapore Foreign Service in June 1993.  In the Ministry’s Headquarters, Mr Tan had served in Technical Co-operation and Human Resource Directorates.  He had also served in Yangon (April 1995 to July 1998), Seoul (September 1999 to January 2003) and Tokyo (March 2004 to December 2008). 

Mr Tan was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Silver) in 2015 by the Singapore Government.

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