MFA Press Statement: Visit of Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of Manpower and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sam Tan to Russia, 24 to 27 March 2018

Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Manpower and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sam Tan is on a visit to Russia from 24 to 27 March.

From 24 to 25 March, MOS Tan visited Salekhard, the administrative centre of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug (YNAO), at the invitation of the President of the Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North (RAIPON) Grigorii Ledkov.

On 24 March, MOS Tan attended and spoke at the Opening Ceremony of the Day of Reindeer Herders, an important festival for the Arctic indigenous peoples which celebrates their heritage. The opening remarks are appended.

MOS Tan met YNAO Vice Governor Irina Sokolova, where they discussed economic opportunities in YNAO, particularly Sabetta which will be an important logistics hub with the opening of the Northern Sea Route (NSR). MOS Tan also met Ledkov and several Arctic indigenous representatives to discuss Singapore’s cooperation with the Arctic Council and how Singapore could further engage the Arctic indigenous peoples in areas of mutual interest. 

On 25 March, MOS Tan attended the Council Meeting of the Association of World Reindeer Herders. He interacted with Arctic indigenous peoples to better understand their lives and culture so as to improve future exchanges and cooperation through Singapore’s observership at the Arctic Council.

MOS Tan will depart for Moscow today.

.    .    .    .    .

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

25 MARCH 2018

REMARKS BY MR SAM TAN CHIN SIONG

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE

PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE, MINISTRY OF MANPOWER AND MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE DAY OF REINDEER HERDERS, SALEKHARD, RUSSIA

1130HRS, SATURDAY, 24 MARCH 2018

Her Excellency Irina Sokolova

Vice Governor of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug,

Mr Grigorii Ledkov

President of the Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North (RAIPON),

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning. I am deeply honoured to be here in Salekhard to participate in the celebrations of the Day of Reindeer Herders at the kind invitation of RAIPON President Ledkov.

I understand that this is an important event for Reindeer Herders as you celebrate the arrival of spring, meet friends, and compete in local sports. I am very much looking forward to experiencing the rich culture of Arctic indigenous peoples, particularly the Nenets, and to taste the local cuisine and watch reindeer races! 

Many of you may wonder why Singapore, a city-state that is over 7,800 kilometres away from Salekhard, is here. Let me just briefly share more on Singapore’s interest in the Arctic.

Singapore was privileged to be admitted as an observer state at the Arctic Council in 2013. The reason for our interest and concern regarding the Arctic is simple. As a low-lying coastal nation, Singapore is especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change. We are perennially faced with the threat of rising sea levels. In our case, a 4°C increase in global temperature could cause median local sea level to rise 9.5 metres, submerging the homes of over 745,000 Singaporeans.^[1]

The Arctic is a barometer of global climate change. With the region warming twice as fast as the rest of the planet, it is where the effects of climatic changes will manifest most readily. Singapore’s observership at the Arctic Council allows us to monitor the physical changes to the environment – such as the seasonal loss of ice – so that we can better understand its potential impact on us.

Singapore firmly believes and recognises that the Arctic indigenous peoples, who have lived in the North for tens of thousands of years, are crucial stakeholders in the region and should have input on any decisions affecting their future.  

One of Singapore’s core governance philosophies is that people are the most important resource. Developing our people and equipping them with relevant skills and know-how is essential not only for empowerment but to guarantee long-term prospects for growth.

As an Arctic Council observer, Singapore has reached out to the Arctic Council Permanent Participants to exchange views and ideas on adaptation to change and environmental protection strategies.

Under the Singapore-Arctic Council Permanent Participants Cooperation Package, Singapore have hosted Leaders from the Permanent Participants on study visits to Singapore to exchange views on topics such as public health, education, port management, and climate change adaptation. 

This is why we are present today, to better understand the lives and culture of Arctic indigenous peoples, so that we can explore how we can improve future exchanges and cooperation.

We look forward to welcoming more Arctic indigenous peoples in Singapore. I wish you a successful Reindeer Herders’ celebrations. Thank you.

____________________

[1] 2015 Report by ClimateCentral, an independent organisation of leading scientists and journalists that research and report facts on the changing climate and its impact on the public.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sam Tan with Arctic indigenous representatives

From left to right: Lidiya Kelchina, Eduard Yayngad, Irina Okotetto, Grigorii Ledkov, Inna Sotruyeva, Sam Tan, Irina Sokolova, Stepan Vanuito, Valentina Shahova, Sergey Uramaev

[Photo Credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sam Tan delivering remarks at the Opening Ceremony of the Day of Reindeer Herders, 24 March 2018, Salekhard, Russia

[Photo Credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sam Tan’s meeting with the Vice Governor of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug Irina Sokolova [Photo Credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs]