MFA Press Statement: Visit by Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Social and Family Development Sam Tan to Berlin, Germany for the 2nd Arctic Science Ministerial, 25 to 26 October 2018

Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Social and Family Development Sam Tan attended the 2^nd Arctic Science Ministerial in Berlin, Germany from 25 to 26 October 2018. The Ministerial gathered Ministers and senior officials from 26 countries, and representatives of the Arctic indigenous peoples.

MOS delivered an intervention at the plenary session “Assessing the vulnerability and importance of resilience of the Arctic environment and its societies” on 26 October. The speech is appended. On the sidelines of the Arctic Science Ministerial, MOS met key Arctic personalities from Norway, Finland, the US, Sweden, Canada and Russia, as well as Arctic indigenous representatives from the Sami Council, the Gwich’in Council International, the Inuit Circumpolar Council, the Arctic Athabaskan Council and the Arctic Council Indigenous Peoples’ Secretariat. He also met interlocutors from Germany, the UK, China and Japan.

MOS will depart for Singapore tomorrow.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

26 OCTOBER 2018

MOS SAM TAN’S INTERVENTION AT ARCTIC SCIENCE MINISTERIAL SESSION: ASSESSING THE VULNERABILITY AND IMPORTANCE OF RESILIENCE OF THE ARCTIC ENVIRONMENT AND ITS SOCIETIES, 26 OCTOBER 2018, BERLIN, GERMANY

Her Excellency Sanni Grahn-Laasonen

Distinguished fellow speakers

Ladies and Gentlemen

        Over the past year, we saw countless headlines on extreme weather and the devastation it causes. This summer, the Scandinavian region was hit by a historic drought and wildfires after a long and cold winter. In Singapore, we dealt with floods, heavy winds, and a welcomed cold spell – well, cold by Singapore standards! All these are consequences of climate change.

        The Arctic, with its unique nature and fragile ecosystems, is an important indicator of the planet’s health. More changes have been experienced here in recent years. We see temperatures in the Arctic warming at twice the rate as any other place in the world, sea ice extent reaching historical lows, new species emerging, the discovery and production of new oil and gas fields, greater commercial, military and adventure activity, and rising global sea levels.

        The Arctic Council has played a big role in drawing global attention to the vulnerability of the Arctic, and promoting the message that science can play a crucial role in improving its resilience. To this end, we welcome the entry into force of the Agreement on Enhancing International Arctic Scientific Cooperation in May 2018, and the continuation of the Arctic Science Ministerial which started under the US Chairmanship. The good attendance here today underscores our shared commitment to preserve the Arctic, and deepen our understanding of the complex challenges and competing priorities.

        Singapore hopes to contribute to a better understanding of climate change and its impact so we can better assess the Arctic environment’s vulnerability and improve its resilience. I will highlight four areas.

        One, we are studying the carbon cycling of permafrost soils. A warmer climate thaws the permafrost soils, which releases greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane. We hope to provide new insights into permafrost geochemistry dynamics and to improve the prediction of greenhouse gas fluxes from Arctic ecosystems to see how these could link back to global warming.

        Two, we are studying the impact of Arctic developments. Professor Benjamin Horton from the Nanyang Technological University did a presentation at the Forum yesterday on the link between Arctic ice mass loss and projected sea-level rise. We are also improving our understanding of the Madden-Julian Oscillation or MJO, an atmospheric phenomenon that has significant influence on climate variability. This can lead to better weather and climate predictions in both the Arctic and Southeast Asia.

        Three, it is important to build the Arctic peoples’ capacities to deal with rapid Arctic changes and resulting challenges such as food, water and energy security, as well as climate change adaptation. Singapore has some experience in these areas, and looks forward to exchanging best practices with the Arctic peoples. Most recently, the Energy Studies Institute of the National University of Singapore worked with the Arctic Council Sustainable Development Working Group to organise a Workshop in Singapore to look at the synergies between the Arctic and Southeast Asia in promoting energy access in remote areas.

        Four, the Arctic ecosystems are also under threat. Singapore plays a small part as a stopover site for Arctic migratory birds. The Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve has been a sanctuary for more than 2,000 Arctic birds of more than 30 species. We have started to track birds using radio trackers, and more recently, satellite transmitters. Having real-time data on migratory birds could help conservationists fine-tune their conservation strategies.

        In conclusion, dialogue and the sharing of scientific data is essential to assess the Arctic’s vulnerability and to explore common solutions to build the resilience of its peoples and ecosystems. As an observer state, Singapore will continue to help advance dialogue on the Arctic in Southeast Asia. Internationally, we look forward to more data-sharing, and to establish constructive collaborations and partnerships to build a more resilient Arctic.  

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Participants at the 2^ndArctic Science Ministerial, Berlin, Germany, 25 to 26 October 2018 

(Photo credit: MFA)

Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Social and Family Development Sam Tan at the 2^nd Arctic Science Ministerial in Berlin, Germany, 25 to 26 October 2018

(Photo credit: MFA)

Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Social and Family Development Sam Tan at the 2^nd Arctic Science Ministerial in Berlin, Germany, 25 to 26 October 2018

(Photo credit: MFA)