Singapore will play role in shaping post-Covid-19 global order: Teo Chee Hean

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

He noted that 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. But in the face of all this, Singapore will uphold its political and economic standing, he said.

"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," he said. "Beyond that, we need to update, reform and strengthen the global trading system to reflect the new realities."

While Singapore hopes that major world powers will exercise leadership to help the world overcome Covid-19, "small countries also do have a voice and the agency to act", he stressed. He noted the existence of the United Nations' Global Governance Group, a 30-member grouping of smaller- and medium-sized member states; Singapore also founded and continues to lead the Forum of Small States in the UN.

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

Singapore is making itself "useful to the world" through efforts such as working with partners to keep supply chains open, connected and resilient; actively participating in the World Trade Organization to update trade rules for the digital economy; participating in global institutions such as the World Intellectual Property Organisation, where a Singaporean is slated to be 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 itself against attempts to sow discord, and 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 also having "able and experienced people, organisational capacity and operational agility", he said. He noted that resources have been drawn from across the public service, government-linked companies and the private sector, and that the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and Home Team have been mobilised.

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."

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

"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."