The Pacific Islands Development Forum Secretary General participated in a High Level Study Visit for the Pacific Island States and Timor-Leste from 7 to 9 February 2017, along with Head of States, Ministers and senior officials from 14 Pacific Island States and Timor-Leste, and heads of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), and the Pacific Community (SPC).
During the Study Visit, the Secretary General met with the Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan, the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan and the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli.
The Study Visit featured briefings on Singapore’s experience in areas such as port management, water management, economic development, vocational education, public administration and tourism promotion. It also provided an opportunity to exchange views in areas of common interest including climate change, adaptation and mitigation, also sharing Singapore 7 key strategic areas for a future resilient city island.
Finally, the UN Development Programme’s Global Centre for Public Service Excellence, which is based in Singapore, also conducted a segment on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals.
The Secretary General could witness Singapore’s warm and friendly relations with the Pacific Island States and Timor-Leste with whom they cooperate regularly in international fora such as the United Nations including at the Forum of Small States (FOSS) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), as well as the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), ICAO and IMO.