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The Istana
Speeches

Transcript of Joint Press Statement by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the Royal Palace in Stockholm, Sweden on Monday, 19 October 2026

19 October 2026

Your Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf,

Your Majesty Queen Silvia,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

  1. Good morning. My wife, Jane, and I are delighted to be in Sweden. I am grateful to Your Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf for your invitation for me to make a State Visit to Sweden, and for the very warm welcome extended us and our delegation.

  2. My State Visit is the first by a Singapore President and comes after Your Majesty’s State Visit to Singapore in November 2024, which was also the first by Sweden. It comes as we mark the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations between Singapore and Sweden, and is a timely opportunity to build on the momentum of Your Majesty’s visit and develop new areas of cooperation.

  3. Singapore and Sweden share several common characteristics. We are both small nations, which prosper through constant innovation and connections to the wider world. We believe in investing in our people, building strong institutions, and working actively to develop domestic solidarity. And we are like-minded in upholding international law, and a rules-based multilateral order.

  4. This common outlook has provided a strong foundation for practical cooperation over many years.

  5. For more than 40 years, Swedish defence technology has played an important role in the development of Singapore’s navy and air force capabilities. Our exchanges today are broad, including those in cybersecurity and Total Defence, riding on the enhancement of our Defence Technology MOU in 2024.

  6. Swedish companies have had a longstanding presence in Singapore, and have both benefited from and contributed to Singapore’s innovation journey. Notably, AstraZeneca broke ground in 2024 on a US$1.5 billion facility for the end-to-end manufacturing of antibody drug conjugates – treatments that deliver highly potent cancer-killing agents directly to cancer cells through targeted antibodies – the first such facility for both the company and the global pharmaceutical sector.

  7. Singapore companies have an active commercial presence in Sweden too. The Stockholm Metro is operated by Connecting Stockholm, with Singapore’s ComfortDelGro as a joint venture partner. In the investment field, Temasek is growing its engagement with Swedish partners, as it explores long-term opportunities in Sweden and Europe.

  8. We will conclude a new Joint Declaration between our two governments to expand cooperation in emerging technologies, including quantum. The Royal Institute of Technology (also known as KTH), Ericsson and Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University will also collaborate on next-generation positioning technologies that use artificial intelligence (AI) and 6G, the next generation of mobile networks.

  9. Sustainable energy sources are also a central priority in our expanding bilateral relationship. Singapore’s Energy Market Authority (EMA) and Sweden’s Ministry of Climate and Enterprise (MCE) are exploring further opportunities, including low-carbon power generation solutions such as the direct combustion of ammonia – which would be a world first if found feasible.

  10. We are also strengthening linkages between our research and academic institutions. Our universities have active links with each other. During my visit, the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy will also advance partnerships with both KTH and the Stockholm School of Economics, opening up more opportunities for research and academic exchanges.

  11. Singapore welcomes Sweden’s engagement of Southeast Asia and ASEAN, including the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in July this year. With Singapore taking on the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2027, there is more that we can do to strengthen Sweden’s engagement with Southeast Asia, and more broadly the links between ASEAN and Europe.

  12. The bottom line is clear. Singapore and Sweden share the conviction that as the world becomes more divided and uncertain,
    like-minded countries must join-up our capabilities and work closely to address shared challenges and grow opportunities together.

  13. Once again, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to Your Majesties King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia for your openness and gracious hospitality. Thank you.