Speech by Senior Parliamentary Secretary Dr Tan Wu Meng During the Committee of Supply Debate, 2 March 2020

1 Mr. Chairman, MOS Sam Tan spoke about how we should strengthen bilateral ties with key partners. I will share about Singapore’s efforts to uphold the rules-based multilateral trading system, while playing an active role in international fora. I will also share how we are engaging our fellow Singaporeans, at home and abroad, and helping fellow Singaporeans who need help overseas. 

Upholding a rules-based multilateral trading system 

2 Mr Desmond Choo asked about multilateralism in the present global climate. Indeed, the deepening mood of nationalist, isolationist and protectionist sentiments in many countries is eroding support for globalisation and multilateralism. This matters for us because it can affect norms on free trade and international law, both of which are integral to our survival as a small nation-state. 

3 Trade is Singapore’s lifeline, and crucial for our economy. It is needed to create opportunities for Singaporeans and Singapore businesses. By plugging into global value chains and specialising in areas where we have comparative advantage in, our companies and workers can upskill, evolve and move up the value chain. We have consistently advocated for free and open trade, further regional economic integration, and the rules-based multilateral trading system. We also participate actively and constructively in multilateral fora such as the WTO, APEC and G20. As convenor of the Global Governance Group, we promote engagement between the G20 and the wider UN membership. 

4 Singapore will continue to play our part to strengthen the foundations that underpin the global trading system. We firmly support the efforts to bring the WTO up-to-date, so it remains well-functioning, effective and relevant. We co-launched the WTO Joint Statement Initiative on Electronic Commerce to kick-start negotiations for rules governing e-commerce. We are also working with other WTO members to preserve the WTO’s dispute settlement mechanism. This is crucial for us as it ensures global trade rules are enforced, and trade disagreements, if they happen, are resolved constructively.

5 Besides the WTO, Singapore continues to pursue bilateral and plurilateral economic agreements to safeguard our economic interests. For example, we signed an FTA with the Eurasian Economic Union last year and are negotiating FTAs with MERCOSUR and the Pacific Alliance. These will create more opportunities for trade and investment beyond Singapore’s traditional markets. 

Playing an active role in international organisations and multilateral platforms 

6 Singapore also participates at multilateral platforms to protect and advance our interests. These platforms ensure that the development of international rules and norms reflects the concerns of all countries, big or small. Singapore has been a strong advocate for small states to play a bigger role at the UN and other multilateral fora. As Chair of the Forum of Small States, Singapore actively engages fellow small states to discuss common challenges and advance common interests. 

7 We have also been contributing actively to the development of international rules. For example, we played a key role in shaping what is now known as the Singapore Convention on Mediation, which provides for cross-border enforcement of mediated settlement agreements. We also participate actively in a United Nations Intergovernmental Conference to negotiate a new international agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. One of our own international law practitioners, Ms Rena Lee, is currently serving as President of this conference.
 
8 For the first time, Singapore is fielding a candidate to head a major United Nations body – the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). We are confident that our candidate, Chief Executive of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore Mr Daren Tang, has the right credentials to contribute positively to WIPO’s work. Daren also stands for Singapore’s long-standing commitment to a rules-based multilateral system, international cooperation and inclusive development. I and all my colleagues wish him the very best in the elections coming up in the next few days.

Expanding our outreach 

10 As a small island nation, we must keep growing our network of friends around the world and build goodwill for Singapore. The SCP was established in 1992 for Singapore to “pay forward” the assistance that we received from the international community in our early years of independence. Through SCP courses, we support other countries in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals and managing global and regional challenges, such as infectious disease control, climate change, and cybersecurity. We will work with our partners to incorporate COVID-19 content into our health-related SCP courses to help strengthen pandemic resilience in the region.

11 Mr Terence Ho asked about using the arts as soft power. Indeed, MFA works closely with MCCY to showcase our diverse arts and multi-cultural heritage overseas. MCCY has a cultural MOU with Australia, which has helped many of our performing arts groups presenting works in Australia’s major arts festivals. Many of our overseas Missions also organise cultural events such as film festivals and art exhibitions to highlight a softer side of Singapore that people may not typically associate us with.

Engaging Singaporeans 

12 Mr. Chairman, foreign policy begins at home. All of us have a collective stake as external developments can directly affect our future. We will therefore need the understanding of our fellow Singaporeans on our foreign policy decisions, especially when core national interests are at stake. 

13 Ms Joan Pereira asked about MFA’s efforts to engage Singaporeans. Indeed, we are listening to young Singaporeans’ views, ideas and concerns about the world while sharing about the policy challenges and trade-offs that we face as a small country. We have stepped up sharing sessions with young Singaporeans conducted by our retired and experienced MFA ambassadors. Every Singaporean, by showing the world the best of us and what we stand for, can help grow our space in the world and help keep our Little Red Dot shining. 

14 MFA also engages Singaporeans through our consular work. Minister Vivian shared how MFA officers had volunteered to fly into Wuhan to bring our fellow Singaporeans home during the COVID-19 outbreak. Colleagues in our Embassy in Beijing and Consulates-General in Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Xiamen have worked day and night to help Singaporeans in China during this period. Our Embassy in Tokyo assisted five Singaporeans who were on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked at Yokohama. I want to take this opportunity to specially thank and commend our MFA officers, who very often serve far away from home and loved ones. Your service and dedication help keep Singapore independent and sovereign, and help safeguard the interests of Singapore and our fellow Singaporeans wherever our people may be, around the world.

15 Besides COVID-19, our Overseas Missions also kept a close watch on regional developments and provided consular assistance to Singaporeans. Last year, when protests in Hong Kong were at the peak, we deployed MFA consular officers at Hong Kong Airport to provide consular assistance to Singaporeans wanting to return home. Our officers were also on the ground to assist the next-of-kin of two Singaporeans who unfortunately lost their lives while kayaking off Mersing, Malaysia in August 2019. MFA will continue doing our best to assist Singaporeans who get into difficult situations overseas.

16 We also use technology to make consular services more convenient. Our fellow Singaporeans travelling abroad can look forward to a simplified e-Registration process with personal particulars pre-filled by MyInfo. We also accept e-Payments, including PayNow at our consular service centre. We will also continue transforming and digitalising consular and immigration-related services for the public.

Conclusion

17 Mr. Chairman, in conclusion, our foreign policy begins at home. MFA, with the support of our fellow Singaporeans, will continue to pursue a foreign policy that serves the interests of Singapore and our fellow Singaporeans amidst an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment. Thank you.

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