Singapore Institute of International Affairs

[Closed-door] Second Summit of ASEAN Think Tanks and Think Tanks from ASEAN Dialogue Partners
2025-10-02 - 2025-10-03
The ASEAN Think Tanks Summit (ATTS) is an ASEAN-ISIS initiative (the ASEAN-ISIS network is a listed ASEAN accredited entity in Annex II of the ASEAN Charter) organised by SIIA in partnership with the ASEAN Secretariat. The ATTS is a platform for prominent think tanks from ASEAN Member States and ASEAN Dialogue and Development Partners to come together to chart a forward-looking agenda for ASEAN’s development.
This year’s ATTS taking on the theme of the Malaysian ASEAN Chair on “Inclusivity and Sustainability” will feature panels and presentations on building Digital Resilience, Mainstreaming Sustainability, Deepening Economic Integration, Preserving ASEAN’s Centrality and on Challenges related to Ocean Governance and Maritime Security.

[Closed-door] Policymakers’ Lunch Dialogue with Ms. Sun Xueling
2025-10-08 12:00 - 14:00 (Asia/Shanghai)
SIIA had the pleasure to invite Ms. Sun Xueling, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of National Development & Ministry of Transport, Singapore, to share her perspective on enhancing regional connectivity by developing Singapore as a hub.

SIIA Talk | A Look at Japan: Political and Economic Crossroads
2025-10-14 17:30 - 19:00 | SIIA, 60A Orchard Road, #04-03 (Level 4M), Tower 1, The Atrium @Orchard International Involvement Hub, Singapore, 238890
Japan is navigating a complex web of international relationships and domestic political challenges amid rising regional tensions and global economic uncertainty. Domestic political developments, evolving leadership, and public expectations are shaping policy decisions, while Japan’s relationships with major powers like the United States and China require careful management. Its growing engagement with ASEAN reflects a strategic aim to promote regional stability and diversify economic partnerships.
This discussion will explore how Japan’s global ambitions intersect with domestic constraints and offer insights into how businesses can adapt in these volatile conditions.

Registration Form

Thank you for your interest in our event. The registration has been closed. Should you have any queries, please reach out to events@siiaonline.org.

[ELN Exclusive] A Chat with Mr Ho Kwon Ping: Values in Public Life, Business and Family
2025-10-17 17:30 - 19:00
Mr. Ho Kwon Ping, one of Singapore’s foremost business and thought leaders, will share his candid reflections on the values that have guided his journey across public life, business, and family.
This exclusive, closed-door discussion is curated for participants of our Emerging Leaders Network (ELN) programme, which is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of leaders to tackle Singapore’s and the region’s most pressing challenges. At the heart of SIIA’s vision, the programme reflects our commitment to developing future leaders who engage with global issues as part of their personal and professional growth.
Speaker:
Mr Ho Kwon Ping, Founder and Executive Chairman, Banyan Tree
Facilitator:
Ms. Cheryl Chen, President, S&P Global Foundation; and Senior Director, Social Sustainability, S&P Global; Council Member, Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA)
This event is exclusive to ELN participants only.
Please stay tuned for more information.

[Closed-door] SIIA Briefing: Inequality, Unrest, Instability: Indonesia, Thailand, and the Asian Geopolitical Reset
2025-10-23 09:30 - 10:30 | SIIA, 60A Orchard Road, #04-03 (Level 4M), Tower 1, The Atrium @Orchard International Involvement Hub, Singapore, 238890
In this closed-door briefing, Prof. Simon Tay, Chairman of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs will provide an analysis on the recent political landscape of Indonesia, Thailand and the wider Asian Geopolitical Reset. Prof. Tay will examine the rising tides of inequality, social unrest and political instability in the region.

[Closed-door] Policymakers’ Lunch Dialogue with Dr. Janil Puthucheary
2025-10-29 12:00 - 14:30
SIIA is pleased to host Dr. Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State for Education and for Sustainability and the Environment, for a private lunch dialogue exploring how Singapore can help lead ASEAN’s green transition.

[Closed-door] PAE Celebratory Reception
2025-11-18 17:00 - 18:30
This celebratory reception honours Prof. Simon Tay, recipient of the President’s Award for the Environment 2025 – Singapore’s highest national accolade for contributions to environmental sustainability – and recognises the continued support of our corporate members and partners in advancing SIIA’s sustainability mission.

[Closed-door] Annual Dinner: Forging a Path Forward in a Shifting Global Landscape
2025-11-18 18:30 - 21:30
This year’s Annual Dinner, themed “Forging a Path Forward in a Shifting Global Landscape,” coincides with Singapore’s 60th year of independence, offering a timely reflection on the leadership and resilience that have guided the nation through change.

[ELN Exclusive] Emerging Leaders Network (ELN) 2025 Retreat
2025-12-05 09:00 - 13:30
We are pleased to be hosting participants from our Emerging Leader Network for a year-end retreat.
Stay tuned for more information!

[Closed-door] Enhancing Singapore’s Global Competitiveness Roundtable – Session 1
2026-01-26 09:15 - 11:00
The closed-door corporate roundtable is part of a four-part series convened by the SIIA to examine Singapore’s global competitiveness amid geopolitical uncertainty, technological disruption, and evolving global investment patterns. This series brings together senior leaders from multinational companies with regional and global influence to gather forward-looking insights that will inform SIIA’s policy-relevant analysis supporting ongoing deliberations by the Economic Strategy Review (ESR) Committee on Global Competitiveness.
In this session, Prof. Simon Tay, Chairman of the SIIA, will provide a strategic framing analysis and moderate a candid discussion under the Chatham House Rule. Participants will share views on issues such as AI adoption, data governance, supply chain realignment, talent strategies, and regulatory developments, with a focus on what multinational firms need for Singapore to continue serving as a trusted, connected, and competitive regional hub.

Year Opener 2026
2026-01-28 10:30 - 13:30 | UBS AG (Singapore Branch), 9 Penang Rd, Singapore, 238459
As artificial intelligence reshapes industries amid intensifying geopolitical and digital competition, join us for our 2026 Year Opener featuring Mrs. Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information, and Minister-in-charge of Cybersecurity and Smart Nation Group, Republic of Singapore.
The discussion will explore how Singapore is harnessing AI for the public good, strengthening digital trust and cyber resilience, engaging key global partners, and positioning businesses and society to thrive in an increasingly complex global environment.
This event is complimentary for SIIA members, and priced at S$60 for non-members.
Programme

Registration Form

Thank you for your interest in our event. The registration has been closed. Should you have any queries, please reach out to events@siiaonline.org. Thank you.

2nd Singapore Green Dialogue (SGD) — Sustainability in a Fragmented World
2026-02-11 08:30 - 14:30 | Tower Club Singapore, 9 Raffles Pl, Tower 1, Penthouse (62nd 64th Floors, Republic Plaza, Singapore, 048619, Singapore
The global sustainability agenda is entering a new and uncertain phase, shaped by growing fragmentation in international cooperation. Global consensus is weakening, momentum behind multilateral climate efforts has slowed, and major powers are adopting more inward-looking policies. Efforts to sign a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution have thus far failed. ESG considerations are now being politicised, with pushback from countries and businesses. COP30 in Belém illustrated what climate action now looks like: negotiators landed a deal that kept the Paris framework alive, but only by softening ambition and deferring hard choices to future meetings.
For ASEAN and Asian economies, this raises a difficult question: what does climate ambition on mitigation and adaptation mean when major emitters and fossil fuel economies are not pulling their weight? ASEAN’s aggregate contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions remains modest, yet the region sits at the frontline of climate impacts. Coastal cities, low-lying deltas and island states are already grappling with frequent floods, rising sea levels, and extreme heat. Three tropical storms in the last months of 2025 have displaced millions across Southeast Asia and claimed over 1,000 lives. Climate adaptation and resilience is urgently needed, along with the right economic choices to lock in development trajectories in the years to come.
The burden—and opportunity—of practical climate leadership is shifting towards Asia. Singapore’s role as a regional hub for policy dialogue, sustainable finance and climate innovation is more important than ever. The 2nd Singapore Green Dialogue will bring together policymakers, corporate leaders, investors and experts to address these tensions: how countries and companies should define meaningful climate action; how to prioritise resilience without locking in high-carbon pathways; and how Asian businesses can stay competitive amid diverging standards in the US, EU and beyond. By convening diverse voices from government, industry, finance and academia, the Dialogue aims to chart practical, actionable pathways for ASEAN and its partners to advance sustainability in a more fragmented global order.
Programme

Time

Programme

08:30am – 09:00am

Registration

09:00am – 09:10am

Welcome Remarks By Mr. Simon Tay, Chairman, Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA)

09:10am – 09:55am

Keynote Dialogue: Sustaining Commitments in a Turbulent World

Speaker: Dr. Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, Republic of Singapore
Moderator: Mr. Simon Tay, Chairman, Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA)

09:55am – 10:55am

Panel 1: The Cost of Compliance – Sustainability versus Competitiveness?
How can businesses in Singapore and ASEAN maintain sustainability goals and build resilience while managing rising costs? Companies must increasingly contend with different regulations and buyer expectations across markets, with some countries continuing to prioritise ESG considerations while others do not. The European Union is continuing to push forward with frameworks such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). While some companies are working to comply with new EU regulations and maintain market access, others are looking to do more business with markets that have softer rules. This session explores how firms are balancing ambition with affordability, how businesses view evolving EU and other international standards, and whether efforts within ASEAN countries such as carbon taxes enhance or constrain competitiveness.

What are the new or upcoming sustainability regulations that might affect international trade and investment flows?
What are the costs or pain points that businesses are facing in complying with sustainability regulations and maintaining market access?
Will the introduction of carbon taxes and similar initiatives hinder competitiveness of ASEAN countries, or provide new opportunities?

Panel Keynote: Ms. Esther An, Chief Sustainability Officer, City Developments Limited (CDL)
Panellists:

Ms. Kuldip Gill, Assistant Chief Executive (Accounting Development & Regulatory Group), Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA)
Mr. Hirotaka Ishizaka, Chief Sustainability Officer, Mitsubishi Corporation Singapore Branch
Ms. Melissa Moi, Head of Sustainable Business, UOB
Ms. Esther An, Chief Sustainability Officer, City Developments Limited (CDL)

Moderator:

Ms. Fang Eu Lin, Partner and Sustainability & Climate Change Practice Head; and PwC Asia Pacific Centre for Sustainability Excellence Leader, PwC Singapore, and Council Member, SIIA

10:55am – 11:25am

Break

11:25am – 12:10pm

Keynote Dialogue: ASEAN-Asia Climate Cooperation – Regional Leadership, Global Impact

Speaker: Dr. Bambang Brodjonegoro, Dean and CEO, Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI)
Moderator: Mr. Simon Tay, Chairman, Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA)

12:10pm – 1:10pm

Panel 2: Finding Climate Momentum – Progress, Gaps, Opportunities
With global or multilateral consensus on climate action becoming increasingly uncertain, can the ASEAN region and other partner countries sustain climate ambition on their own? This session takes a long-term, strategic view of ASEAN and Asia’s climate leadership in a time of fragmentation, exploring what the region’s climate mitigation and adaptation priorities should be. The region sits at a crossroads — highly vulnerable to climate impacts yet still economically dependent on fossil fuels — and must now take greater ownership to maintain long-term momentum, strengthen collaboration, and define its own climate narrative.

How can countries in ASEAN and Asia show climate leadership amidst current global headwinds?
How are ASEAN and Asia meeting the climate financing needs of the region?
What role can businesses and financial institutions play in climate resilience towards NDC 3.0 and National Adaptation Plan targets?

Panellists:

Mr. Jackie Surtani, Regional Director and Head of Singapore Office, Asian Development Bank (ADB)
H.E. Satvinder Singh, Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Economic Community, ASEAN
Ms. Helena Ooi, Head of Strategy, Sustainability, Digital and Data, Maybank

Moderator: Ms. Cheryl Chen, President, S&P Global Foundation, and Council Member, SIIA

1:10pm – 1:20pm

Closing Remarks By Mr. Simon Tay, Chairman, Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA)

1:20pm – 2:30pm

Networking Buffet Lunch

Registration
Thank you for your interest in our event. The registration has been closed. Should you have any queries, please reach out to events@siiaonline.org.

[Closed-door] Enhancing Singapore’s Global Competitiveness Roundtable – Session 2
2026-02-24 09:45 - 11:30
The closed-door corporate roundtable is part of a four-part series convened by the SIIA to examine Singapore’s global competitiveness amid geopolitical uncertainty, technological disruption, and evolving global investment patterns. This series brings together senior leaders from multinational companies with regional and global influence to gather forward-looking insights that will inform SIIA’s policy-relevant analysis supporting ongoing deliberations by the Economic Strategy Review (ESR) Committee on Global Competitiveness.
In this second session, Prof. Simon Tay, Chairman of the SIIA, will provide a strategic framing analysis and moderate a candid discussion under the Chatham House Rule. The dialogue will focus on how multinational firms’ headquarters view Singapore’s competitiveness in an AI-driven, slower-growth environment, and how deeper engagement with ASEAN, cost considerations, and collaboration with neighbouring economies can strengthen Singapore’s role as a trusted and effective regional hub.
