PRIME MINISTER Lawrence Wong held high-level discussions with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and welcomed the leader of the Catholic Church in September, while continuing his extensive schedule of local constituency visits.
This was in keeping with PM Wong’s pledge earlier this year (13 Jun), to keep growing our nation’s global network of friends.
Singapore’s peace and prosperity depends upon this outward-facing diplomacy. We are a small and open economy. We will always need to work well with other countries and organisations.
At the same time, caring for, and keeping in touch with our local communities is fundamental, as PM Wong demonstrated from his constituency visits to Nee Soon and Punggol.
From high-level discussions with the Secretary-General of the United Nations to spending time with residents in Nee Soon and attending the grand opening of the One Punggol hub, here’s a short look back at PM Wong’s September.
A productive meeting with the UN Sec-Gen. A welcome for the Pope.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited Singapore early in the month (2 Sept). PM Wong’s discussion with Mr Guterres included Singapore’s unique geopolitical position.
“I conveyed Singapore’s deep appreciation for the Secretary-General’s steadfast commitment to the rules-based multilateral system, which is vital for small states like ours,” said PM Wong. “Singapore remains fully committed to supporting the UN’s efforts to strengthen multilateralism, including the upcoming Summit of the Future.”
Source: MDDI
PM Wong welcomed Pope Francis to Singapore too, where they discussed the importance of interfaith dialogue and religious harmony.
“These are common areas of interest between Singapore and the Vatican, and we look forward to continued engagements and cooperation in areas of mutual interests,” said PM Wong (12 Sept), who also attended the Pope’s National Stadium mass..
Catching up with four neighbouring PMs past and present
September was also when PM Wong met with four present and former PMs from neighbouring countries — India’s Narenda Modi , Bhutan’s Tshering Tobgay who is also an old school friend from the Harvard Kennedy School, and the respective former PMs of Australia and New Zealand Scott Morrison and John Key.
Source: MDDI
“I was delighted to catch up with him, and to discuss regional and international developments affecting our two countries,” said PM Wong when meeting ex-PM Key. “Our bilateral ties are in excellent shape, underpinned by our close people-to people links, and shared strategic perspectives of the world.”
The meetings reaffirmed the Bhutan-Singapore cooperation in skills development and healthcare as well as potential further collaboration in carbon credits. They also spotlighted the landmark Singapore-Australia Digital Economy Agreement (DEA) and upgraded the Singapore-India Strategic Partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
On the ground at Limbang, Nee Soon and Punggol
Throughout this September of high-level meetings, PM Wong was constantly spotted in various constituencies as well. He was in his Limbang ward celebrating the Mid-Autumn festival with a diverse group of residents, speaking with pet owners and pet adoption volunteers at Nee Soon and was a big part of the One Punggol neighbourhood hub’s official launch.
Source: MDDI
“We welcome all of you to be involved in making this a better home for you and your children. We welcome your ideas and involvement in shaping your estate,” said PM Wong at the One Punggol opening. He also praised Punggol’s volunteer farmers, who harvest rooftop garden vegetables for the local temple and vulnerable families.
PM Wong’s September, then, was also about championing local Singaporeans, as well as supporting their social causes for Singaporean neighbourhoods. It was about working together to take Singapore another step forward.
