Singapore's role on global stage hinges on it being united, strong at home: SM Teo

Singapore

SINGAPORE will play its part in shaping the frameworks of the world post-Covid-19, supported by resilience at home, said Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean on Thursday in the third of a series of ministerial national broadcasts.

The pandemic has accelerated geopolitical trends such as the rivalry between the United States and China, the shifting of global supply chains, and nativist protectionism, with countries acting unilaterally in their own short-term interest and hobbling international organisations as a result, said Mr Teo. But in the face of all this, Singapore will "uphold our political and economic standing in this world".

Even though such developments threaten the international system and global order, "a bleak outcome is not inevitable", he said. The crisis should motivate countries to work together.

"After the pandemic subsides, it will be a long road to economic recovery. We need new international protocols to gradually and safely resume cross-border exchanges. Beyond that, we need to update, reform and strengthen the global trading system to reflect the new realities."

While Singapore hopes that major powers will show leadership in helping the world overcome Covid-19, "small countries also do have a voice and the agency to act". He noted the United Nations' (UN) Global Governance Group, a 30-member grouping of smaller- and medium-sized member states, and the Forum of Small States which Singapore leads.

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Beyond Covid-19, there remain "challenges that require collective global action, such as violent extremism, nuclear proliferation, cybersecurity, future pandemics and climate change", he said.

Singapore is making itself "useful to the world", working with partners to keep supply chains open, connected and resilient; actively participating in the World Trade Organization to update rules for the digital economy; being involved in global institutions such as the World Intellectual Property Organisation, with a Singaporean as the next director-general; and contributing to global action to tackle climate change.

But Mr Teo warned: "Singapore can hold its own in the world, only if we are strong, successful and united at home." Only then will its diplomats have credibility, and only then will the country be able to defend against attempts to sow discord, as well as offer something of value to its partners.

"As we emerge from the pandemic, we will need to build a more resilient Singapore, which can respond quickly and effectively in a more uncertain world," he said, highlighting three aspects of resilience: crisis response, economic resilience, and social resilience.

The pandemic has highlighted the importance of building reserves and resilience to respond to crises, including not just financial reserves but "able and experienced people, organisational capacity and operational agility", he pointed out.

He noted the mobilisation of resources from across the public service, government-linked companies, and the private sector, as well as the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and Home Team.

Economic resilience, in the short term, means tackling the pandemic's direct impact on livelihoods and supply chains. In the longer term, this will involve structural changes, he said, adding that other ministers will elaborate on Singapore's economic resilience, recovery and growth programmes in the coming days.

Finally, social resilience allows for unity in the face of crisis. "In our short history, we have repeatedly faced and overcome crises - about once every decade, some more serious than others," he said. "This Covid-19 pandemic is the largest and most complex I have encountered in more than 40 years of public service."

As of noon on Thursday, Singapore confirmed 422 new Covid-19 cases, including five community cases: one Singaporean and four work pass holders. This brings Singapore's total number of cases to 39,387.

For the new generation of ministers, civil servants, healthcare professionals, Home Team, and SAF officers taking the lead in tackling Covid-19, this is their first major crisis, Mr Teo noted.

"The ministers have sought advice and tapped the experience and knowledge of their older Cabinet colleagues, and consulted widely within and outside the government," he added. "They have stepped up to the task, worked together as a team, and led from the front. This is the way that we collectively ensure resilience and continuity in our leadership team for Singapore."