Appointment of Ambassador to the Federative Republic of Brazil and Non-Resident Ambassador to the Republic of Colombia

The Government has appointed Mr Chia Wei Wen as Singapore’s first resident Ambassador to the Federative Republic of Brazil and Mr Gerald Balendran Singham as Singapore’s next Non-Resident Ambassador to the Republic of Colombia.

Mr Chia was the Chief of Protocol in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2021 to 2025. He joined the Foreign Service in 2005. He served in the Singapore Embassy in Beijing from 2008 to 2011 as First Secretary (Political), and in the Singapore High Commission in London as Deputy High Commissioner and Counsellor from 2014 to 2017.  In the Ministry Headquarters, Mr Chia has served in various capacities covering Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia and Europe.

Mr Chia graduated with a Bachelor of Law in International Politics from Peking University in China under a Public Service Commission (Foreign Service) Scholarship in 2003. Mr Chia was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Silver) in 2024.

Mr Singham is an Advocate and Solicitor in Singapore. He is currently Global Vice-Chair and ASEAN CEO of Dentons Rodyk & Davidson LLP. Mr Singham is Chairman of the National Crime Prevention Council and is a member of the boards of HeritageSG, Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), and Republic Polytechnic. He has been Singapore’s Non-Resident Ambassador to the United Mexican States since 2022.

Mr Singham graduated with a Bachelor of Laws in 1985 and a Master of Laws in 1987 from the University of London. He is also admitted as a Barrister at the Inns of Court in England.

Mr Singham was conferred the Meritorious Service Medal in 2025, Public Service Star (Bar) in 2019, Public Service Star in 2009, and Public Service Medal in 2005. He was also appointed Justice of the Peace in 2018. He is married to Ms Gina Lim Singham and they have four children.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

30 JUNE 2026

Mr Chia Wei Wen was the Chief of Protocol in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) from March 2021 to July 2025.

Mr Chia joined the MFA in 2005. He served in the Singapore Embassy in Beijing from 2008 to 2011 as First Secretary (Political), and in the High Commission in London as Deputy High Commissioner and Counsellor from 2014 to 2017. In the Ministry Headquarters, Mr Chia also served in various capacities covering Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia and Europe.

Mr Chia graduated with a Bachelor of Law in International Politics from Peking University in China under a Public Service Commission (Foreign Service) Scholarship in 2003.

Mr Chia was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Silver) in 2024.

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Mr Gerald Balendran Singham is an Advocate and Solicitor in Singapore. He is currently Global Vice-Chair & ASEAN CEO, Dentons Rodyk & Davidson LLP.

Mr Singham is the Chairman of the National Crime Prevention Council and sits on the boards of HeritageSG, Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), and Republic Polytechnic. He has been Singapore's Non-Resident Ambassador to the United Mexican States since 2022.

Mr Singham has been recognised for his distinguished public service with several national honours. He was conferred the Meritorious Service Medal in 2025, Public Service Star (Bar) in 2019, Public Service Star in 2009, and Public Service Medal in 2005. He was also appointed Justice of the Peace in 2018 and received the Minister for Law Appreciation Award in 2008.

Mr Singham graduated with a Bachelor of Laws in 1985 and a Master of Laws in 1987 from the University of London. He is also admitted as a Barrister at the Inns of Court in England. He is married to Mrs Gina Lim Singham and they have four children.

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