Remarks by President Halimah Yacob at the Reception For Overseas Singaporeans in UK

High Commissioner Lim Thuan Kuan,
Fellow Singaporeans,

Good evening. My husband and I are delighted to be here and to see so many of you. I thank you all for making the time to be here with us and with one another, more so as I understand that because of the Coronation festivities, there have been road closures around London which may have made getting here more challenging than usual.

It has been almost a decade since a sitting President attended an Overseas Singaporean reception in London – the last time was in October 2014, when then-President Tony Tan made the first-ever State Visit by a Singapore President to the UK. I am therefore very happy to take the opportunity of my attendance at the Coronation of King Charles III to meet all of you today.

The past couple of years have been difficult, beginning with the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by the energy crisis, and the inflationary cost of living pressures resulting from the Russian-Ukraine conflict. Indeed, it is a time that tests nations and communities. While the worst of COVID-19 is now hopefully behind us, geopolitical rivalry continues to strain the global order and international norms that underpin peace and prosperity in the world. Now, more than ever, we need to stay united as one people, regardless of our physical location.

Over the course of the past two days, I have had the opportunity to meet with His Majesty King Charles III and I congratulated him on the joyous occasion of his Coronation. King Charles, as Prince of Wales, has served the UK and the Commonwealth with devotion and distinction for many years. I am confident that the UK and the British people will continue to do well under his reign.

The stability and prosperity of the UK is important to Singapore. Our countries have been and continue to remain important and longstanding partners. We share a deep historical bond that spans over two centuries, underpinned by frequent high-level exchanges, robust economic and investment links, and close people-to-people ties. We also share a common interest in upholding a rules-based international order and respect for international institutions.

Our bilateral relationship has been further strengthened through various milestones which are a testament to the breadth, depth, and trust in our relationship. The UK-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement entered into force in June 2022, and the Memorandum of Understanding on the UK-Singapore Green Economy Framework was signed in March this year. These agreements have created new opportunities for our countries to cooperate and develop innovative solutions to address some of the shared challenges of our times such as climate change and expanded economic opportunities for our businesses. Both sides are also negotiating a new UK-Singapore Bilateral Investment Treaty, to supersede the existing treaty which entered into force in 1975.

As Singaporeans who live, work, and study here, you are also our roving ambassadors. In your daily interactions, you play an important role in helping the British people understand what we stand for and who we are. I am heartened by the strong sense of camaraderie and network of friendship and support among Singaporeans in the UK through the various community, professional and student groups represented here today. If there is anything which the pandemic has taught us, it is the importance of looking out for and taking care of each other.

At the same time, as you pursue your dreams overseas, I hope that you will remain connected with Singapore and with your loved ones back home. There are many opportunities for Singaporeans to contribute to the next chapter of the Singapore Story, such as the Forward Singapore initiative spearheaded by Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and his team of 4G Ministers. I urge you to contribute your unique perspectives and remain tuned in to developments at home as we continue to make Singapore a home for all Singaporeans, even if you are abroad.

I wish all of you great success in your endeavours here, and trust that you will continue to fly the Singapore flag high. Let me also take this opportunity to wish all who are celebrating a Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Spending Hari Raya away from home must not be easy, but receptions like this one help to foster the same spirit of togetherness with fellow Singaporeans. My husband and I look forward to interacting with all of you later to learn more about your experiences in the UK.