Singapore’s Special Envoy for Arctic Affairs, Mr Sam Tan, delivered the keynote speech at the Norway-Singapore Arctic Hybrid Conference in Singapore on 3 November 2021.

The conference is held in conjunction with the second Norway-Singapore Science Week, and jointly organised by the Norwegian Embassy, the Arctic University of Norway, and the NUS Energy Studies Institute. The aim of the conference is to engage key Arctic stakeholders from academia, industry and companies in a discussion on areas of cooperation between Norway and Singapore. Topics covered include sustainable energy infrastructure, the use of Hydrogen energy, as well as climate change predictions.

In his keynote, “Reflections on Singapore’s engagement and interest in the Arctic”, Special Envoy Tan elaborated on Singapore’s interest in the Arctic region and detailed Singapore’s continued engagement through our Observership at the Arctic Council (AC). He also shared about Singapore’s transition towards cleaner energy sources, in response to the acceleration of climate change. Special Envoy Sam Tan’s keynote speech is appended.

As a low-lying coastal state, Singapore is vulnerable to rising sea levels; the Arctic is a barometer of climate change. Singapore contributes to the climate change agenda by participating in international Arctic events, raising regional awareness of Arctic issues, and contributing actively to discussions at the AC, the leading intergovernmental forum for discussing political, economic, environmental and scientific issues concerning the governments and inhabitants of the Arctic region.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Singapore