Singapore Institute of International Affairs

Singapore will mark 60 years of independence in 2025. Over the last six decades, Singapore has become a thriving Global-Asia hub, connecting the region to the world, leveraging its business-friendly environment and strategic location in ASEAN. Going forward, what challenges does Singapore face as it celebrates its 60th anniversary? Join us at our Year Opener Outlook 2025 – Singapore at 60 and the Road Ahead with Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Republic of Singapore, where we will explore Singapore’s place in the world and the key factors driving its success, as well as the current outlook for the nation and economy in 2025 and beyond. Don’t miss it! 🔗 Register now  Members: bit.ly/YearOpener2025  Non-members: bit.ly/SIIAYearOpener2025 📅 24 January 2025  🕛 11:30am to 2:00pm  📍 UBS AG   🎫 Complimentary for Members; S$60 for Non-Members

🌟 Reflecting on an Impactful 2024 🌟 As 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on a year filled with achievements and milestones that have shaped SIIA’s journey. This year, we brought together influential voices through a diverse range of events, fostering meaningful discussions on today’s pressing issues in the region.  From intimate roundtables and dialogues to large-scale conferences, our events served as platforms for exchanging ideas, fostering collaboration, and inspiring action on critical topics such as sustainability, digital transformation, and regional connectivity. Let's look back on some key highlights of the year. 🌱 11th Singapore Dialogue on Sustainable World Resources (SWR)  Centered on the theme "Next Economy and the Future of Resources", the SWR convened policymakers, industry leaders, and changemakers to address critical sustainability challenges. 🌍 16th ASEAN & Asia Forum (AAF)  Themed "Integration and Connectivity Amid Global Shifts", this year’s AAF focused on navigating an increasingly volatile world, exploring how ASEAN can strengthen connectivity and build resilience. 🎙️ SIIA Dinner  We were honored to host President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the annual fundraising dinner where he shared his insights on strengthening Singapore’s role on the global stage. At the SIIA Dinner, we also announced the launch of the Emerging Leaders Network (ELN). This initiative aims to connect and grow a community of influential leaders from diverse sectors to address challenges and changes in the region.   📚 Publications  We are proud to have published 6 publications this year including special reports on renewable energy and digital payments. Read more about our publications here: https://lnkd.in/ggaSBpq9 As we look ahead to 2025, we remain committed to advancing these important conversations and building a peaceful and sustainable future together.  #SIIA2024 #2024InReview 

🎄✨ Season's Greetings from all of us at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs! As we celebrate this festive season, we extend our heartfelt thanks to our members and supporters. Your unwavering dedication and contributions have been instrumental in shaping meaningful dialogues and driving positive change. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season and a peaceful and prosperous year ahead.

Last Friday, our Chairman, Prof. Simon Tay had the privilege of moderating an exclusive dialogue with H.E. Rosan Roeslani, Indonesia’s Minister of Investment and Downstreaming and Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM).   Organised by the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore and the Indonesia Investment Promotion Center (IIPC) Singapore, the dialogue, titled "Mapping Indonesia Investment Trend 2025: National Investment Focus and Opportunities," delved into Indonesia’s ambitious economic priorities under President Prabowo Subianto’s administration. Discussions centered on national investment goals, key sectors for foreign investment, and strategies to bolster resilience through collaboration with ASEAN partners amidst global challenges.   We are proud to support this dialogue as a knowledge partner, fostering meaningful discussions on regional growth and opportunities.

As the 2024 US Elections concludes, the result of the election sets the stage for a new chapter in US politics, with impacts that will ripple across the globe. The SIIA hosted a talk titled “2024 US Elections Unpacked: Insights and Implications for ASEAN”, to discuss how the outcome of this election may impact ASEAN moving forward. Ms. Angela Mancini, Partner, Global Risk Analysis, Control Risks, mentioned that the US remains divided between Democratic and Republican support, and a Trump 2.0 administration is likely to adopt a more transactional and unilateral approach in its policies and relations with regions such as ASEAN. Mr. Ashok Kumar Mirpuri, Former Singapore Ambassador to the United States; Head, International Policy & Governance, Temasek, further said that Trump's mandate and momentum victory will position him at the helm of his "Make America Great Again" agenda, which will remain as his key focus. The discussion was facilitated by Prof. Simon Tay, Chairman, Singapore Institute of International Affairs. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our distinguished speakers for their insightful sharing and meaningful discussions. A huge thank you to our members and attendees for your active participation! 

The impacts of climate change are hitting Southeast Asia hard, bringing devastating floods and extreme heat waves that endanger cities like Bangkok, Jakarta, and Ho Chi Minh. Singapore, likewise, faces these growing risks. 🔍 Tune in to our latest #WhatTheFuture podcast, as we delve into climate risks faced by the region and explore potential solutions for a more resilient future. Watch now on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gVA_Cu3a Or listen on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gkJu5qkq *** #WhatTheFuture is a show that breaks down complex issues of today’s world, so you can make sense of them and better navigate the world tomorrow. This podcast is brought to you by the National Youth Council Singapore’s Asia-Ready Exposure Programme (AEP) in partnership with the SIIA. AEP empowers youths to be Asia-ready by providing opportunities for meaningful exposure to ASEAN member states, including China and India, while strengthening their competencies in building friendships and networks across the region. Find out more about the AEP here: https://lnkd.in/gJztEMsn

This December, PM.Haze (People's Movement to Stop Haze) is hosting a series of unique, meaningful (fun and free!) workshops for anyone interested in learning about critical environmental issues! 🌱✨ Explore #transboundary issues through the workshops, uncovering the complexities of the haze crisis and its connections to #climatechange. The discussions will also cover the challenges of #environmentalpolicy and the vital role of #governance in tackling these issues. ➡️Register now at https://lnkd.in/e3i-yaeX These workshops are organised as part of "Haze-Free Horizons 2024", a multimedia platform by PM.Haze, supported by the SG Eco Fund.

🌟 Congratulations to Equinix on the launch of their 6th data centre in Singapore! This achievement highlights Equinix's role in advancing digital infrastructure and reinforcing Singapore's position as a leading hub for technology and innovation. As our valued corporate member, we are proud to celebrate this milestone with Equinix and look forward to continued collaboration in driving connectivity and innovation across the region. We also extend our appreciation to Equinix for their support of our special report, "Powering the Digital Future: Renewable Energy for Businesses in ASEAN". Their insights played a key role in exploring the potential for clean energy solutions to power data centres in the region.

With misinformation spreading faster than ever in today's digitally connected world, it's crucial to stay informed. 🔍 Tune in to our latest #WhatTheFuture podcast, featuring our Director of Security and Global Affairs, Mr. Nicholas Fang, on navigating the complexities of the digital landscape and exploring the implications of misinformation in Singapore and the region. Watch now: https://lnkd.in/gHXep2sy Or listen to it on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gkJu5qkq *** #WhatTheFuture is a show that breaks down complex issues of today’s world, so you can make sense of them and better navigate the world tomorrow. This podcast is brought to you by the National Youth Council Singapore’s Asia-Ready Exposure Programme (AEP) in partnership with the SIIA. AEP empowers youths to be Asia-ready by providing opportunities for meaningful exposure to ASEAN member states, including China and India, while strengthening their competencies in building friendships and networks across the region. Find out more about the AEP here: https://lnkd.in/gJztEMsn

ASEAN countries must ensure sufficient green energy to power the region’s data centres and stay ahead in the global digital economy, according to our latest report, “Powering the Digital Future". This Special Report, supported by Equinix and informed by our research and consultations with businesses, governments, and civil society, examines the growing energy demands of ASEAN amidst the rapid expansion of data centres. This growth is being driven by innovations such as generative AI, blockchain, and other emerging technologies that are crucial for the region's future economic development. 📑Download the report here: https://bit.ly/4dRCZYZ