Media Release
Immediate Release
Emerging Leaders Network Launched to Prepare Singapore for the Next Era
Singapore, 24 January 2025: At the Singapore Institute of International Affairs’ (SIIA) Year Opener 2025 with Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, the Institute also publicly launched the Emerging Leaders Network (ELN). This new initiative is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of leaders to address Singapore’s and the region’s most pressing challenges.
The ELN, central to SIIA’s vision, reflects the Institute’s commitment to grow and develop leaders of the future who recognise global issues as part of their personal and professional growth. As SIIA’s contribution to SG60, the ELN embodies the spirit of building a resilient and forward-looking Singapore, prepared to address emerging global trends. In its inaugural year, the SIIA will identify 60 emerging leaders for the ELN.
SIIA Chairman, Associate Professor Simon Tay, highlighted the SIIA’s pivotal role in fostering dialogue on pressing issues affecting Singapore and the region. He remarked, “As we celebrate Singapore’s 60th anniversary, we must not only reflect on our progress but actively invest in the leadership that will guide us into the next era. The ELN embodies this commitment, providing a space for dialogue, learning, and collaboration.”
During the Year Opener, Guest of Honour Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan reflected on the foundations of Singapore’s success in its six-decade journey from a developing nation to a global hub. He also shared his views on strategies Singapore must adopt to navigate emerging challenges and opportunities in an increasingly multipolar and unpredictable world.
The ELN’s emphasis on preparing future generations on global issues aligns with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s vision, who has previously stressed the importance of engaging Singaporeans on foreign policy issues. He said that Singapore cannot afford to neglect its external environment, noting that global challenges will have direct impacts on the nation.
Events like the SIIA’s annual Year Opener play a vital role in equipping ELN participants to engage with real-world challenges and explore actionable solutions to pressing global issues. By connecting them with policymakers and industry leaders, these events provide invaluable insights and the opportunity to build collaborative networks. For those interested in joining the ELN, please contact the SIIA at membership@siiaonline.org.
The Year Opener was made possible with the support of venue partner UBS.
***
For further enquiries, please contact the SIIA at media@siiaonline.org.
***
Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA)
The Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA) provides insights and perspectives for policymakers, businesses and individuals in navigating issues facing the world. Our work serves as a bridge between these stakeholders, to nudge policy change through dialogue and collective action.
As a founding member of the ASEAN-ISIS (ASEAN Institutes of Strategic and International Studies) network since 1988, we engage in “Track II” diplomacy, fostering dialogue among stakeholders in our region and beyond.
We have been consistently ranked as one of the leading think tanks in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, in the Global Go-To Think Tank Index* by the University of Pennsylvania. Since 2017, we were ranked the No. 1 independent think tank in Asia. We were also recognised as one of the top 50 think tanks globally, excluding the United States of America. In 2019, we were recognised as the No. 1 think tank in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific (excluding India). In 2020, we were also recognised as one of the think tanks with the best policy and institutional response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our vision is to contribute to a region that is inclusive, peaceful and prosperous – an integrated, sustainable and globally competitive ASEAN and a Singapore that is an open, dynamic hub and responsive node.
*Note: Professor James McGann, the creator of the Global Go To Think Tank Index, passed away in 2021. As a result, the Index has not been updated. The Lauder Institute has not indicated when or if it will continue publishing the Index. The index was last published in 2020.
