Singapore's Participation at the Arctic Encounter Symposium 2023, 29 to 31 March 2023

Special Envoy for Arctic Affairs Sam Tan represented Singapore at the Arctic Encounter Symposium 2023 held in Anchorage, Alaska, USA from 29 to 31 March. This was part of Singapore’s ongoing engagement of the Arctic since becoming an Observer State in the Arctic Council in 2013.

The Arctic Encounter Symposium 2023 was attended by over 800 participants including government officials, representatives of the Arctic indigenous peoples, and members of the business and academic communities. Special Envoy Tan spoke at a VIP armchair dialogue on “An Indo-Pacific Arctic: Emerging Regional Interests from Sub-Arctic Asia” on 29 March 2023, as well as a panel discussion titled “Arctic Partners and Neighbors: Growing Partnerships In and Out of the Region” on 31 March 2023.

In his remarks, Special Envoy Tan spoke about Singapore’s interests in the Arctic and how Singapore has participated actively in Arctic-related activities over the past decade. As a low-lying coastal state, Singapore is vulnerable to the effects of climate change, rising temperatures and the melting of ice sheets in the Arctic. This in turn leads to sea-level rise which poses an existential threat to the physical survival of Singapore and underscores the importance for Singapore to be plugged into developments in the Arctic.

At the same time, Singapore has undertaken research related to the Arctic, such as the tracking of Arctic migratory birds that stop in Singapore during the Arctic winter season; shared Singapore’s experience in managing oil spills with the Emergency Preparedness, Prevention and Response (EPPR) Working Group; and regularly engaged the Arctic Council’s Permanent Participants and indigenous communities.

Special Envoy Tan also noted how the Arctic Council is an important platform for research and activities in the Arctic region, and that its Observer States would take their cue from the Member States on whether to resume the Arctic Council activities in the near future. Notwithstanding this, Singapore will continue to support the work, mission and activities of the Arctic Council, including under the various Working Groups, so that the global community can benefit from the activities spearheaded by the Arctic Council.

On the sidelines of the Symposium, Special Envoy Tan met with various representatives of Arctic indigenous peoples, US government officials involved in Arctic affairs, as well as Senior Arctic Officials from other Arctic Council Member and Observer States.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

1 APRIL 2023

Photo caption: Special Envoy for Arctic Affairs Sam Tan speaking at the panel discussion on “Arctic Partners and Neighbors: Growing Partnerships In and Out of the Region” on 31 March 2023

Photo credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore

Photo caption: Special Envoy for Arctic Affairs Sam Tan speaking at the panel discussion on “Arctic Partners and Neighbors: Growing Partnerships In and Out of the Region” on 31 March 2023

Photo credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore

Photo caption: Special Envoy for Arctic Affairs Sam Tan speaking at the panel discussion on “Arctic Partners and Neighbors: Growing Partnerships In and Out of the Region” on 31 March 2023

Photo credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore