Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan participated in the “Asia and Pacific High-Level Conference on Belt and Road Cooperation” on 23 June 2021. The videoconference was chaired by PRC State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi.
In his remarks, Minister Balakrishnan emphasised Singapore’s strong support for vaccine multilateralism and commitment to tackling the COVID-19 pandemic and future global health threats through international cooperation. Minister Balakrishnan stressed the importance of advancing economic integration and maintaining trade and investment flows by strengthening supply chain resilience. He highlighted the role of the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Connectivity Initiative-New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor in fostering greater connectivity across and beyond the Belt and Road. Minister Balakrishnan also affirmed Singapore’s commitment to sustainable development and support for the Paris Agreement. Minister Balakrishnan’s full remarks are at Annex.
Other participants also reaffirmed the importance of solidarity and international cooperation in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. They discussed how countries have worked together to accelerate healthcare cooperation and promote economic recovery amidst the disruptions caused by COVID-19. The participants also agreed on the importance of sustainable economic recovery, and exchanged views on strategies to mitigate the common challenge of climate change while promoting inclusive growth.
The conference was attended by 29 countries, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, Advisory Council of the Belt and Road Forum, Belt and Road Initiative International Green Development Coalition, and the Eurasian Economic Union.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Singapore