Six Permanent Representatives to the United Nations are in Singapore on a study visit from 29 June to 3 July 2015 under the inaugural Forum of Small States (FOSS) Fellowship Programme. The delegates represent the Republic of Benin, the Republic of Cabo Verde, The Gambia, the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, the Republic of Sierra Leone, and the Republic of Suriname.
The delegates called on Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister of Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs Masagos Zulkifli on Monday 29 June 2015. They discussed the shared concerns of small states such as an increased vulnerability to economic and environmental changes in the world, and reaffirmed the importance of cooperation in international fora through platforms like the FOSS.
The delegates will meet Second Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert Chua on Tuesday 30 June 2015, and have a tea session with Minister for Transport Lui Tuck Yew on Thursday 2 July 2015. Additionally, they will make visits to the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, the Tuaspring Desalination plant, the Marina Barrage, the Singapore Botanic Gardens and Gardens by the Bay, the Institute of Technical Education, the Singapore Aviation Academy, the Urban Redevelopment Authority and the Centre for Liveable Cities.
The FOSS, founded by Singapore in 1992, is an informal platform in New York that allows small states (i.e. countries with populations under ten million) to discuss and foster common positions on issues of mutual concern. There are currently 105 FOSS member states. The FOSS Fellowship Programme organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs aims to foster better understanding and closer cooperation within FOSS states.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
30 JUNE 2015