President Halimah Yacob and Mr Mohamed Abdullah Alhabshee hosted the President’s Annual Diplomatic Reception (PADR) at the Istana on 11 July 2019.
2 A tradition since 1985, the PADR is held to honour the Diplomatic Corps for promoting friendly relations with Singapore.
3 This year’s PADR coincides with Singapore’s Bicentennial Year and bid to inscribe Singapore hawker culture on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s list of intangible cultural heritage. Guests were treated to specially curated offerings of some of the most well-loved Singapore hawker fare. Music for the evening, which includes timeless Singapore songs, was performed by a student ensemble of jazz musicians from Institute of Technical Education College Central.
4 Some 300 guests attended the event, including close to 100 Heads of Diplomatic Missions and International Organisations accredited to Singapore. Also invited this year are Singapore’s Honorary Consuls-General (HCGs), prominent and well-respected individuals in other countries who help to extend Singapore’s diplomatic footprint and assist Singaporeans in distress in major cities and countries where we do not have resident Missions.
5 Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies Tharman Shanmugaratnam, as well as other Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament and Senior Officials also attended the event.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
11 JULY 2019
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President Halimah Yacob with the ASEAN Ambassadors and their spouses
Photo Credit: MCI
President Halimah Yacob chatting with Czech Republic Ambassador and the Singapore Ambassador to Czech Republic
Photo Credit: MCI
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President Halimah Yacob with the guests at the Reception Room
Photo Credit: MCI