MFA Press Statement: Visit to Singapore under the 5th Forum of Small States (FOSS) Fellowship Programme, 10 to 14 April 2017

Call by delegates from the 5th FOSS (Forum Of Small States) Fellowship Programme on Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, 12 April 2017 Photo credit: MFA
 

        Ambassadors based in London and Geneva are visiting Singapore from 10 to 14 April 2017 under the 5^th Forum of Small States (FOSS) Fellowship Programme.  The purpose of the visit is to exchange views and experiences on international developments, in particular on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), given that small states share many similar constraints and challenges.  

        The FOSS, founded by Singapore in 1992, is an informal platform at the United Nations that brings together states with populations under ten million to exchange views on issues of common interests. This year marks the 25^th anniversary of the FOSS.  It currently has 107 member states.  Launched in 2015, the objective of the Fellowship Programme is to foster closer cooperation among FOSS states.  This year’s participants include the following countries: the Bahamas, Barbados, Gabon, Haiti, Honduras, Jordan, Luxembourg, Namibia, Qatar, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Seychelles, Sierra Leone, and Slovenia.  Collectively, the Fellows bring unique perspectives on the challenges confronting Europe and how Geneva-based UN agencies and international organisations are supporting small states to implement the SDGs and overcome humanitarian and human rights challenges.

        The FOSS Fellows called on Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan earlier today.  They discussed common challenges and issues of interests such as the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals, climate change, social and religious integration and the challenges posed by terrorism.

        The study visit includes lunches hosted by Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport Mr Khaw Boon Wan and Senior Minister of State (SMS), Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman.  They also met Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of National Development Mr Desmond Lee and observed a Meet-the-People session in East Coast GRC hosted by SMS Maliki.  The visit also includes briefings by various agencies on Singapore’s approach towards sustainable development in areas such as urban planning, water and sanitation, maritime affairs, civil aviation, governance, and education.  It also includes visits to the Harmony Centre@An-Nahdhah, the Singapore Botanic Gardens and the NEWater Visitor Centre. 

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

12 APRIL 2017