MFA Press Statement: Visit of Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office and Ministry of Manpower Sam Tan to Washington DC for the White House Arctic Science Ministerial, 27 to 28 September 2016

            Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office and Ministry of Manpower Mr Sam Tan attended the White House Arctic Science Ministerial (WHASM) in Washington, D.C from 27 to 28 September 2016.  The event was attended by over 100 speakers and participants from 25 countries, including Ministers and officials from the Arctic Council member and observer states, as well as representatives from the Arctic Council Permanent Participants.

            A joint statement was issued at the conclusion of the WHASM to reflect the participants’ commitment to work together to advance international scientific collaboration on Arctic-related issues.  The text of the joint statement is appended. 

            MOS Tan delivered a speech during the session on “Empowering Citizens through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education Leveraging Arctic Science” which touched on Singapore’s Arctic science policy, our role in developing sustainable options for businesses operating in the Arctic, as well as our efforts in raising awareness on Arctic issues in Singapore and Southeast Asia.  MOS Tan also highlighted the need for countries to strengthen cooperation in data-sharing of Arctic observations.  The text of the speech is appended. 

            On the sidelines of the WHASM, MOS Tan had bilateral meetings with Minister of Education and Culture of Finland Saani Kaisa Grahn-Laasonen and Minister of Education and Research of Norway Tørbjorn Røe Isaksen on 27 September.  At both meetings, the Ministers reaffirmed the good bilateral ties and looked forward to expanding cooperation on Arctic issues.  MOS Tan also took the opportunity to host some of the representatives from the Arctic Council Permanent Participants to a dinner on 28 September 2016. 

.    .    .    .    .

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

29 SEPTEMBER 2016

.    .    .    .    .

TRANSCRIPT OF THE SPEECH BY MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE AND MINISTRY OF MANPOWER SAM TAN DURING THE SESSION ON: “EMPOWERING CITIZENS THROUGH SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS (STEM) EDUCATION LEVERAGING ARCTIC SCIENCE”

Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Dr John Holdren

Distinguished fellow speakers

Ladies and Gentlemen

1            Singapore was admitted to the Arctic Council as an observer state in 2013.  Even though Singapore is a tropical island just one degree north of the Equator, we recognise that changes in the Arctic can also affect us.  We are keen to better understand challenges and concerns facing the Arctic, and the implications for the world and Singapore.    It is also important to educate our own citizens about the changes that are in store for our children and grandchildren.  Hence, our Arctic research focuses on three areas.

2            First, climate change is a global challenge that requires a global response.  In Singapore, we have seen increasing changes in our weather and climate.  Our annual mean temperature has risen from 26.6 degrees Celsius in 1972, to 28.3 degrees Celsius in 2015.  We also experienced our longest dry spell in early 2014 since record-keeping began in 1869.  Our meteorological agencies are thus interested to study how changes in the Arctic could have an effect on the weather and climate in Southeast Asia.  Second, our researchers are developing applied solutions that will create safer and environmentally sustainable options for businesses operating in the Arctic.  Over the years, our maritime industry has built up strong credentials in shipbuilding and repair, offshore engineering, and marine support services.  In particular, the National University of Singapore and Keppel Offshore and Marine are working together to create the world’s first Arctic “green rig”.  

3            Third, we have hosted, and will continue to host Arctic events to raise public awareness of Arctic issues in Singapore and Southeast Asia.  Most recently, the National University of Singapore Energy Studies Institute (ESI) and the US Office of Naval Research – Global, Singapore had jointly organised a conference last month on “Energy Transitions in a Globalised Arctic”.  This conference brought renewable energy and policy experts from Arctic and Southeast Asian states to Singapore.  The conference which was supported by the Singapore Government was open to the public, and served to create awareness of microgrid energy solutions for similarly remote communities in the Arctic and Southeast Asia.  We also convened the Arctic Circle Singapore Forum in November last year, where our Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, and my good friend, the former President of Iceland Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson (ola-vur rag-nar grim-sohn) delivered keynote speeches, highlighting the challenges in the Arctic Circle and encouraging countries, NGOs and research communities to work together to address them.  

4            A little known fact is that Singapore also plays a role in the Arctic ecosystem as a stopover site for Arctic migratory birds in winter.  Over 100 species of such birds stopover in Singapore along the East Asian-Australasian flyway every year.  They rest, feed and recharge in our Wetland Reserve before making the long and arduous journey back to their habitats.  Although we are a city-state with a dense urban environment, biodiversity conservation is of great importance to us.  Hence I am pleased to announce that we will be hosting an Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI) workshop on the conservation of migratory birds along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, in conjunction with the 9th East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership Meeting of Partners in January 2017.  This workshop will serve to educate the public about the importance of conservation efforts of Arctic birds.

5            Regionally, we will continue to advance dialogue on issues that matter to the Arctic in Southeast Asia.  Internationally, we welcome dialogues such as the White House Arctic Science Ministerial to better understand Arctic issues, share data on Arctic observations with each other, and establish constructive collaborations and partnerships to tackle the challenge of climate change and the melting of ice caps in the Arctic.  Thank you.