Istana, 7 December 2021 (TDI): Emeritus Senior Minister (ESM) Goh Chok Tong of Singapore addressed the World Peace Conference on Sunday. The conference was themed “Advancing Peace through Social Inclusion”.
Furthermore, the event was held online due to the current Covid 19 Pandemic situation. It was organized by the government of Bangladesh.
Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong delivered remarks virtually at the World Peace Conference on 5 December, organised by the government of Bangladesh. Read the remarks here: https://t.co/G0iUlDrgRR
— MFAsg (@MFAsg) December 5, 2021
During the addresses, the Singapore Emeritus congratulated Bangladesh on its 50th year of Independence. She noted that Singapore was the first country in Southeast Asia who recognized Bangladesh in 1972.
In addition, Minister Goh Chok Tong considers Bangladesh as a gateway between South Asia and Southeast Asia. In her remarks, she told that PSA International of Singapore is working closely with the Chittagong Port Authority on the Bay Terminal Project at Chittagong. Such a terminal will capitalize the flow of goods through Bangladesh.
Three main challenges
The speech allowed the Senior Minister to highlight three global issues.
Firstly, he addressed the global health crisis during the Covid 19 Pandemic which is disturbing the economic cooperation of the states. He noted the disruption of the supply chain of critical products due to the harmful impacts of Covid 19 and its variants.
Secondly, Mr. Tong stressed climate change as an emerging global challenge. He considered the change in temperature and its harmful effects on human life as an existential threat. the recently concluded COP26 in Glasgow demands the world community to maintain the momentum, he noted.
Thirdly, the Senior Minister emphasized rising geopolitical power rivalry. He said that the relationship between US and China decides the policy of all national governments accordingly to operate in an interconnected global economy.
