Singapore, 12 November 2015 | EMBARGOED UNTIL 1000HR ON 12 NOV 2015

 

 

 

In collaboration with the Singapore Maritime Institute and with the support of the Singapore Government, the Arctic Circle convened the Arctic Circle Singapore Forum on 12 November 2015 at the Marina Mandarin Singapore.

 

The Arctic Circle Singapore Forum is the second of a series of forums convened by the Arctic Circle outside of Iceland. It is also the first event of the Arctic Circle held in Asia.  Over 150 delegates attended the Forum, including academics, scientists, maritime and financial business leaders, and government representatives. 

 

The Forum was opened by President of Iceland H.E. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson and Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, Mr. Teo Chee Hean.

 

President Grímsson said that “the Arctic is a big part of our planet and crucial for the future success of humankind. It is very rich in multiple resources, which are of great importance for the 21^st Century global economy. The melting of Arctic sea ice would also open new sea routes, linking Asia to Europe and North America in a new way”.

 

The Arctic Circle was founded two years ago and is now one of the most important international venues for extensive dialogue on the Arctic. The Arctic Circle Singapore Forum demonstrates the vision and commitment of Singapore to be a constructive and leading partner in this new cooperation. President Grímsson highlighted that “for Iceland, the new strategic relationship with Singapore is also of paramount importance”.  

 

Deputy Prime Minister Teo highlighted the importance of the Arctic as a bellwether for climate change, the far-reaching global economic impact of changes in the Arctic, and implications of new Arctic sea routes on the future of marine transportation as factors shaping the global prominence of Arctic issues today. He emphasised that Singapore is interested and engaged in ongoing developments in the Arctic. “Environmental and economic developments, even in a seemingly distant region like the Arctic, can impact Singapore – perhaps not immediately, but 50 years, or even 100 years, later”, Mr. Teo said.

 

On Singapore’s Arctic engagement as an observer state of the Arctic Council, Mr. Teo added that “Singapore is committed to deepening our understanding of the region and its people, and exploring how we can make useful contributions.”

 

Speakers at the Forum included Arctic Ambassadors, senior government officials, and representatives from the maritime industry, investment funds, and scientific institutes from both Arctic and non-Arctic states. They lent their expertise to discussions at the three plenary sessions, which focused on the governance of Arctic shipping, infrastructure development in the Arctic, and the role of oceanic science and research.

 

A dinner dialogue on “Advancing Global Cooperation on the Arctic” will be held, featuring remarks by H.E. Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Iceland; Mr. Sam Tan Chin Siong, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Manpower of Singapore; and Mr. Kim Chan Woo, Ambassador for Arctic Affairs from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea. President Grímsson will deliver closing remarks to conclude the Forum.

 

 

The Arctic Circle convenes the largest global gathering on the Arctic at its annual Assembly each October in Reykjavík, Iceland. The 2015 Assembly (16-18 October) was attended by over 2000 participants from more than 50 countries.

 

In addition to the annual Assemblies in Iceland, the Arctic Circle convenes smaller and more specialized forums in other countries. The forum in Singapore is the second such forum, following a summit on shipping and ports held this August in Anchorage, Alaska.

 

 

The Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) is a joint effort by the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA), the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).

 

Established in Jan 2011, SMI develops strategies and programmes related to the academic, policy and R&D aspects of the industry. Key focus areas include sectors such as port, shipping, maritime services, offshore and marine engineering, subsea and downhole. SMI charts the maritime and offshore research strategy and promotes greater industry-academia R&D collaborations to be undertaken in Singapore.

 

Please visit www.arcticcircle.org for more information on the Arctic Circle Singapore Forum.

 

<End of Release>

 

For media enquiries, please contact:

 

Jason Lin (Mr.) or Takeshi Kaji (Mr.)

Arctic Circle Singapore Forum Secretariat

DID: (65) 6270-2824

HP: (65) 9365-4522

Fax: (65) 6270-2885

Email: SingaporeForum@ArcticCircle.org / jason@maritimeinstitute.sg  / takeshi@arcticcircle.org

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Annex

Time	Programme
0900 - 1000	Opening Session   Speakers H.E. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson President of Iceland   Mr. Teo Chee Hean Deputy Prime Minister & Coordinating Minister for National Security, Republic of Singapore   Chair Ms. Alice Rogoff Publisher, Alaska Dispatch News
1030 - 1200	Session 1: Governance of the Northern Sea Route   Discussion topics include regulation of shipping activities along the Northern Sea Route and international cooperation to advance Arctic shipping.   Chair Professor Robert Beckman Director, Centre for International Law, National University of Singapore   Speakers Mr. Mead Treadwell Former Lieutenant Governor of Alaska and President of Pt Capital   H.E. Else Berit Eikeland Senior Arctic Official and Ambassador to the Arctic, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway   Mr. Vitaly Klyuev Acting Director of the Department of the State Policy for Maritime and River Transport, Ministry of Transport, Russian Federation   Panellists Mr. Georg Lárusson Director General, Icelandic Coast Guard   Capt. M. Segar Assistant Chief Executive (Operations), Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
1200 - 1330	Luncheon
1330 – 1515	Session 2   Distinguished speakers and panelists share on Arctic infrastructure needs and the challenges and opportunities behind Arctic infrastructure development.   Part I: The Future of Arctic Infrastructure   Speakers Mr. Hafsteinn Helgason Chief Representative of Icelandic-German Finnafjörður Harbour Project; Director of Business Development, EFLA Consulting Engineers   Dr. Cynthia Wang Arctic Project Manager, Keppel Offshore & Marine Technology Centre   Mr. Thomas Mack President, Aleut Corporation   Moderator Mr. Dagfinnur Sveinbjörnsson CEO, Arctic Circle   Part II: Public-Private Partnership and the Arctic Investment Protocol   Keynote Speaker Mr. Scott Minerd Global Chief Investment Officer, Guggenheim Partners   Panellists Mr. Svend Hardenberg Founder and Chairman, Greenland Invest   Professor Paul Arthur Berkman Professor of Practice in Science Diplomacy; Coordinator of Arctic Options, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University   Amb. Tormod Cappelen Endresen Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to the Republic of Singapore   Moderator Ms. Lisa Oake Freelance Broadcaster for CNBC
1545 – 1730	Session 3: Science and Research   This session explores ocean science and research to enable the future sustainable development of the Arctic. Speakers and panelists from various research institutes share their perspectives and discuss impactful areas of research opportunities.   Chair & Speaker Dr. Kim Holmén International Director, Norwegian Polar Institute     Speakers Dr. Jun Inoue Associate Professor, Polar Meteorology, National Institute of Polar Research, Japan   Dr Lee Yoo Kyung Director of Arctic Research Center, Korea Polar Research Institute   Panellists Dr. Guðni Jóhannesson Director General, National Energy Authority of Iceland   Professor Chan Eng Soon Vice Provost (Special Duties), National University of Singapore   Dr. Adrian Law Director, DHI-NTU Water & Environment Research Centre & Education Hub, Nanyang Technological University   Professor Piotr Glowacki Head of the Polar and Marine Research Department, Institute of Geophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences
1900 - 2100	Dinner Dialog: Advancing Global Cooperation on the Arctic   Speakers Mr. Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Republic of Iceland   Mr. Sam Tan Minister of State, Prime Minister‘s Office & Ministry of Manpower, Republic of Singapore   Mr. Kim Chan-Woo Ambassador for Arctic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea   Chair H.E. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson President, Republic of Iceland