Seeking Opportunities Amidst Disruption – A View From Singapore with Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan

The CSIS Southeast Asia Program is pleased to present Seeking Opportunities Amidst Disruption – A View From Singapore featuring Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, as part of the CSIS Banyan Tree Leadership Forum. Southeast Asia has been at the forefront of rapid change and economic development in recent decades. Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, will provide his perspectives on how the region and the United States can work together to seize the opportunities and tackle the challenges of disruption in an evolving multipolar world.

Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan is the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister-in-charge of the Smart Nation initiative. He has previously held appointments as the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Second Minister for Trade and Industry, Minister responsible for Entrepreneurship, Second Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts and Minister of State for National Development. Before becoming a Member of Parliament in 2001, he was Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore General Hospital. He became Medical Director of Singapore National Eye Centre in 1999, having studied Medicine at the National University of Singapore (NUS) after being awarded the President’s Scholarship in 1980, and specialized in ophthalmology after graduation.


This event was made possible through general support to CSIS.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

[collinocc]

You represented Singapore very well, Minister Vivian. Thank you for your hard work with preparation, dedication and passion for our country. You are truly a Son of Singapore.

[robertkaokengnye]

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, our Foreign Minister had very well perceived and intelligently described the balanced global views as most Singaporeans I believe would like to view.

[kayg.vegan.singapore]

🌈🇸🇬😎 Dr Balakrishnan could able to speak fluently in 3 different languages i.e his mothertongue (Tamil), the local dialect (Malay), and ENGLISH IS HIS 3RD LANGUAGE! Pls don't feel existed only by his talent or eloquence in English! Indeed he knew a lot of more things!

I knew this because I'm a Singaporean. Singapore is an 'International City' and a "Global-Hub" therefore most people here could able to speak at least 3 different languages! That's very normal!

[lightaiyee]

Insightful question and answer session from Singapore's foreign minister.