MFA Press Statement: Dinner hosted by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan for the 2018 Trilateral Commission Singapore Plenary Meeting

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan hosted dinner this evening for participants of the 2018 Trilateral Commission Singapore Plenary Meeting.  At the dinner, Minister Balakrishnan spoke about the importance of technological mastery at times of disruptive change and cited the historical instances of how technological mastery translated into geopolitical influence. Examining the shifting geo-strategic architecture, Minister Balakrishnan said that while many countries have benefited from free trade and the open, rules-based global system, there was also a need for governments to take adequate and sustainable mitigating measures to address the negative effect of globalisation and the digital revolution on segments of society.  In this regard, Minister Balakrishnan shared some of initiatives undertaken by the Singapore government to foster greater resilience and innovation domestically.  At the same time, Minister Balakrishnan highlighted the importance of upholding the global order based on openness, free trade, robust multilateral institutions, and economic integration.

Formed in 1973, the Trilateral Commission is a non-governmental, policy-oriented forum that aims to find solutions to major geopolitical, economic and social challenges facing the world today.  Its annual Plenary Meeting gathers over 200 political, business, academic and civil society leaders from Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

23 MARCH 2018

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan delivered a speech at dinner hosted for the Trilateral Commission Singapore Plenary Meeting, 23 March 2018 

[Photo Credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs]