MFA-MTI-SNPO JOINT PRESS STATEMENT: MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND MINISTER-IN-CHARGE OF THE SMART NATION INITIATIVE DR VIVIAN BALAKRISHNAN AND Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and Ministry of Trade and Industry MS Sim Ann TO ATTEND THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM ANNUAL MEETING IN SWITZERLAND, 17 TO 20 JANUARY 2017
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister-In-Charge of the Smart Nation Initiative Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, and Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and Ministry of Trade and Industry Ms Sim Ann, will attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, from 17 to 20 January 2017.
2. The WEF Annual Meeting is a platform for leaders in government, industry and academia to share experiences and explore novel approaches to address evolving global challenges.
3. Minister Balakrishnan will participate in sessions on our Smart Nation Initiative, including the impact of new technologies on future jobs; enhanced education and training; autonomous mobility to improve public transport; and more responsive public services. Minister Balakrishnan will also attend sessions involving government and business leaders from ASEAN to share the lessons learnt from the ASEAN experience and the opportunities, challenges and priorities of ASEAN in the new global context. He will also take part in sessions on issues related to energy and regional security frameworks.
4. SMS Sim Ann will participate in sessions related to sustainable energy innovation and globalisation. SMS Sim will also represent Singapore at the Informal World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial Gathering, hosted by Swiss Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann, on the side-lines of the WEF Meeting. This meeting will bring together more than 30 Trade and Foreign Ministers of selected WTO Members to discuss potential deliverables for the upcoming 11th WTO Ministerial Conference in December, as well as the future of trade in light of the current global economic situation.
5. Minister Balakrishnan and SMS Sim will be accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Smart Nation Programme Office, Prime Minister’s Office.
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
MINISTRY OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY
SMART NATION PROGRAMME OFFICE
SINGAPORE
16 JANUARY 2017