Ahead of SG60, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong held a dialogue at the IPS-SBF Conference titled “Global-City Singapore SG60 and Beyond”.
During the session, PM Wong shared some insights on how Singapore can stay relevant as a global city into the future. Here are three takeaways.
1. Strengthening partnerships to navigate a bumpier world
The rules based global order is under strain as major powers turn inwards.
“If this trend continues…it will be a world that is more conflict-prone, more fragmented and less able to come together to deal with global challenges.
“That is the world that is likely to unfold before us, and we have to brace ourselves for a bumpier ride,” said PM Wong.
To address economic concerns, PM Wong shared that DPM Gan Kim Yong and his team have been hard at work to secure deals for Singapore, to expand our cooperation with different partners.
The government has also set up a task force to support businesses and refresh economic strategies.
Next, PM Wong reminded us that despite being a small country, Singapore will not remain a “passive bystander”. Instead, it will work with like-minded countries across Europe, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East and forge deeper partnerships.
Finally, PM Wong also believes that even in a fragmented world, Singapore can continue to shine as a stable and trusted hub.
“We are stable, we are predictable, we are reliable. These are intangible assets that others would die to have.
“We should embrace our strengths, build on them and add value to the world,” said PM Wong.
2. Renewing our social compact amidst a period of greater uncertainty
According to PM Wong, Singapore must balance being a “Global City” and “a home for Singaporeans”.
“Part of this is to strengthen the support system for Singaporeans, to give more assurance through every life stage,” said PM Wong.
Through Forward Singapore, PM Wong shared that the government has made several moves to strengthen the social compact.
They include measures such as the Jobseeker Support Scheme, better parental leave and more caregiver support.
However, PM Wong assured us that these are just the beginning.
“We will continue to review and see what more we can do to provide greater assurances and to strengthen our social support system.
“We have to make sure that everyone benefits from the nation’s progress,” said PM Wong.
3. Getting ready for the AI era
“Artificial intelligence (AI) will be the defining technology of our time… there is so much potential to be unlocked and unleashed,” said PM Wong.
However, PM Wong shared that Singapore will not “rush headlong” into a broad-based adoption of AI.
Instead, the tripartite partnership will think hard about how Singapore can “redesign jobs, retrain workers (and) pace out the technological changes.”
“We have to think hard about applying technologies like AI in a meaningful and deliberate manner that creates jobs for Singaporeans,” shared PM Wong.
Ultimately, the technological changes we harness must benefit workers, not replace them, added PM Wong.
You can watch the entire dialogue session here.
