MFA Press Statement: Visit of Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Social and Family Development Sam Tan to Finland, 16 to 19 September 2018

Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Social and Family Development Sam Tan is in Inari, Finland to attend the 13^th Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region (CPAR).

MOS Tan briefed the Conference on Singapore’s work in support of the Arctic Council, including our continued engagement of the Arctic Council’s Working Groups, the Arctic indigenous peoples, and efforts to promote Arctic awareness in Singapore and the region. With climate change affecting the Arctic more rapidly and severely, MOS Tan reiterated Singapore’s commitment to achieving its goals under the Paris Agreement, including through the 2018 Year of Climate Action. The intervention points are appended.

MOS Tan met fellow Parliamentarians, as well as the Presidents of the Saami Parliaments of Norway, Sweden and Finland on the sidelines of the Conference.   

MOS Tan will depart for Singapore today.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

19 SEPTEMBER 2018

INTERVENTION POINTS FOR THE 13^TH CONFERENCE OF PARLIAMENTARIANS OF THE ARCTIC REGION, 16-19 SEPTEMBER 2018

1^st Session: Digital Arctic

·               Connectivity and digitalisation is key to the future economy.

·               Singapore launched the Smart Nation initiative in 2014 to transform Singapore into a leading economy powered by digital innovation and to improve peoples’ lives.

·               Some key elements include:

o      Promoting broadband internet access and providing free wifi at specific locations;

o      Incorporating ICT into education and learning to empower the next generation; and

o      Facilitate digital transactions through e-Payments, National Digital Identity, and Smart Urban Mobility.

·               We look forward to sharing our experiences in fostering a Smart Nation with the Arctic Council Member States and indigenous peoples.

2^nd Session: Climate Change and the Regional Consequences, 18 September

·               With limited land, natural resources, and being a low-lying coastal state, Singapore is vulnerable to environmental changes caused by climate change.

·               We work closely with the Arctic Council to exchange best practices and information on issues such as marine pollution and waste, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development.

·               Nationally, 2018 was designated as Singapore’s Year of Climate Action. It is aimed at raising awareness of climate change and getting individuals and companies to take action.

o      To-date, we have received over 250,000 pledges from individuals pledging to cycle or walk instead of driving, to not use plastics straws, and from companies pledging to use energy efficient products and to go paper-free. 

·               We will also be implementing a Carbon Tax in 2019.

·               These efforts contribute to Singapore’s obligations to the Paris Agreement, including our pledge to reduce Emissions Intensity by 36% from 2005 levels by 2030. 

·               It is important to better understand climate change and its causes so that we can make the right decisions today.

3^rd Session: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

·               Tackling climate change or ensuring sustainable development cannot be the work of the government alone.

·               Companies have a big part to play as they can influence peoples’ wellbeing and impact on the environment.

·               CSR is a key tool to integrate sustainable development in companies’ strategies.

·               Singapore has a dedicated agency promoting Corporate Sustainability in support of Singapore’s goal of becoming a sustainable nation.

o      The Global Compact Network Singapore or GCNS provides a one-stop concierge service for businesses to begin, deepen and broaden their sustainability journey.

o      They conduct workshops and training to build companies’ capacity in adopting sustainable practices, and conduct research to provide thought leadership in the areas of CSR and sustainability.

o      They also engage youth to nurture a civic minded generation that would champion responsible business practices in future. GCNS had recently partnered the National University of Singapore to hold a youth seminar on “What a Changing Arctic Means for Singapore” in early September.

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