MFA Press Statement: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan at the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly, 26 Sep 2018

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan is attending the 73^rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

  Minister Balakrishnan met representatives of the Pacific Alliance[1], including Peruvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Néstor Popolizio and Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism Rogers Martín Valencia Espinoza; Colombian Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism José Manuel Restrepo Abondano; Mexican Secretary of Economy Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal; and Chilean Vice Minister of Trade Rodrigo Yáñez.  They discussed ways to promote inter-regional economic integration, and reaffirmed their commitment to conclude the Pacific Alliance-Singapore Free Trade Agreement expeditiously.  Minister Balakrishnan also attended the 5^th ASEAN-Pacific Alliance Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, where ASEAN Member States and Pacific Alliance Members exchanged views on strengthening cooperation between the two regions.

  Minister Balakrishnan participated in the “Global Cooperation and Artificial Intelligence” Roundtable at the Bloomberg Global Business Forum, which was facilitated by former US Secretary of State Dr Henry Kissinger.  Minister Balakrishnan spoke about the future of artificial intelligence (AI), Singapore’s experience in harnessing AI, and how Singapore can contribute to the global discourse on the impact and governance of AI.  He also attended the second “One Planet Summit” where the participants discussed global climate action and the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

  Later in the day, Minister Balakrishnan spoke at the Asia Society on “New Realities for Southeast Asia: Perspectives from Singapore”.  The event was moderated by Asia Society Policy Institute President and former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.  Minister Balakrishnan discussed key global trends including the impact and opportunities of the ongoing digital revolution, major power relations, and the importance of promoting free trade and adherence to a multilateral rules-based approach. 

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

27 SEPTEMBER 2018

[1] Established in 2012, the Pacific Alliance is a Latin American trade grouping comprising Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Mexico.  It represents a market of around 221 million people and a combined GDP of US$3.99 trillion.  Singapore has been an observer in the Pacific Alliance since 2014.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan meeting representatives of the Pacific Alliance, including Peruvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Néstor Popolizio and Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism Rogers Martín Valencia Espinoza; Colombian Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism José Manuel Restrepo Abondano; Mexican Secretary of Economy Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal; and Chilean Vice Minister of Trade Rodrigo Yáñez.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan attending the 5^th ASEAN-Pacific Alliance Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan participating in the “Global Cooperation and Artificial Intelligence” Roundtable at the Bloomberg Global Business Forum, which was facilitated by former US Secretary of State Dr Henry Kissinger

The second “One Planet Summit”, where participants discussed global climate action and the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan speaking at the Asia Society on “New Realities for Southeast Asia: Perspectives from Singapore”.