Singapore, Belgium have prospered by embracing global thinking: Tharman

Singapore President Tharman's State Visit to Belgium: A Detailed Summary

Key Concepts:

• Multilateralism
• Rules-based international order
• Open economies
• Maritime digitalization
• Decarbonization
• Sustainable and innovative solutions
• Alternative marine fuels
• Data-driven solutions
• Youth empowerment
• Social inclusion

1. Bilateral Meetings and Key Discussions:

• President Tharman Shanmugaratnam's state visit to Belgium marked the first such visit by a Singapore leader.
• He was ceremonially welcomed by the King and Queen of Belgium at the Royal Palace.
• Bilateral meetings were held at the Belgian parliament, emphasizing the importance of upholding multilateralism and addressing global challenges like climate change.
• Discussions with Belgian Prime Minister focused on strengthening cooperation in innovation and sustainability.

2. Strengthening Maritime Cooperation:

• A key highlight was the growing partnership between Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority and the Port of Antwerp Bruges.
• Plans are underway to collaborate on advancing maritime digitalization and reducing carbon emissions.
• An agreement was exchanged to promote sustainable and innovative solutions for the global maritime industry, including the use of alternative marine fuels and data-driven solutions to improve maritime safety and security.

3. State Banquet and Shared Values:

• King Philip highlighted Singapore's foreign policy, emphasizing its focus on peace, stability, and respect for international law.
• He acknowledged Singapore's resilience in the region and shared concerns for peaceful cooperation.
• President Tharman celebrated the nearly 60 years of formal diplomatic relations between Singapore and Belgium.
• He emphasized the shared commitment to open economies, multilateralism, and a rules-based international order.
• He noted that both countries have thrived by thinking and acting internationally.

4. Commemoration and Engagement:

• President Tharman participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, commemorating soldiers who died in World War I.
• He engaged with nonprofit organizations working on youth empowerment and social inclusion.

5. Decarbonization and Future Fuels:

• The collaboration between Singapore and Belgium aims to transform both ports into bunkering ports for new fuels like medical mole or ammonia.
• This requires stringent safety rules and safe handling procedures.
• A working group focused on decarbonization will be formed to exchange information among experts and draft safety rules on both sides.

6. Notable Quotes:

• King Philip: "Singapore's resilience in the region conference. Interest challenges stands out and we share your concerns, Singapore's and then some for peaceful cooperation can trust with the heart of our games we are witnessing and your international advocacy, the supported by actions."
• President Tharman: "It's been almost 60 years since we have formal diplomatic relations and it's allowed us to build a strong and enduring port built on a sharp commitment to open economies, multilateralism and the rules-based international order... We're both at the heart of our respective regions with a larger neighbors, but deeply integrated into both regional and global that works and 2 countries have thrived. All right, thinking and acting internationally."
• Speaker: "And what we want to reaching future is not only be the banking court for the full South fuels for as long as it lost, but also to be the bunkering ports, Singapore. And I'm to a boost for the new fields. And these new fields like medical mole or ammonia require fairly stringent rules on safety on safe handling. So one of the practical things we will be working on under the symbol U.S. exchanging experiences. It's changing the way we have been drafting the safety rules on both sides."

7. Logical Connections:

• The visit began with ceremonial welcomes and high-level meetings, setting the stage for discussions on shared values and cooperation.
• The focus then shifted to specific areas of collaboration, particularly in the maritime sector, with concrete plans for digitalization and decarbonization.
• The state banquet provided an opportunity to reaffirm the strong diplomatic ties and shared commitment to international principles.
• The visit concluded with engagements with nonprofit organizations, highlighting the importance of social inclusion and youth empowerment.

8. Synthesis/Conclusion:

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam's state visit to Belgium underscored the strong and enduring relationship between the two countries, built on shared values and a commitment to multilateralism, open economies, and a rules-based international order. The visit focused on strengthening cooperation in key areas such as innovation, sustainability, and maritime digitalization and decarbonization. The partnership between Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority and the Port of Antwerp Bruges is a significant step towards a more sustainable and innovative future for the global maritime industry. The discussions on alternative marine fuels and safety regulations highlight the practical steps being taken to address climate change and promote a greener future.