![]() ![]() It is understandable, and we should expect, that countries act in their own self-interest. ![]() There are pressing global challenges that require global leadership and collective action, in particular future pandemics and climate change, but also nuclear proliferation, violent extremism and cybersecurity. There is scope for us to collaborate much more together – to re-envision, rebuild, and strengthen our multilateral institutions to deal with the challenges not just of today, but to anticipate those of tomorrow. But for this to happen, we need a multilateral framework that recognises current needs and realities, based on principles, rules and standards, and balances the needs of all countries. We should work together to improve it, to keep pace with new circumstances and new challenges. Our international system is not perfect, but we should not ignore or discard it. The international multilateral system helped provide security and stability, development, and a better life for countless millions in the post WWII and post-Cold War era. These guideposts remain relevant today, if not more than ever.įirst, upholding multilateralism. ![]() When I spoke in 2021, I highlighted three guideposts that should guide us to build a more secure world: (i) multilateralism, (ii) resilience, and (iii) sustainability. At COP26 in Glasgow, countries pledged to act against climate change, but countries struggled to stay the course at COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh. Weather extremes, fires and floods, deluge and drought, affect us more frequently and with greater severity. Most countries in the world, including China, have reopened and are trying to live with the virus, though the scarring effect will be with us for many years to come. The world is emerging from the throes of COVID-19. More troubling is that all three p¬¬¬arties - China, US and Taiwan have been taking steps that change the long-standing status quo that has maintained a delicate peace, while each claiming that their positions have not changed. These military activities are continuing, though on a reduced scale. China reacted to former Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan last year with live-fire drills encircling Taiwan. Most importantly, tensions have intensified over Taiwan. However, four months later now, tensions have grown further, with the two countries now embroiled in a chip war and a face off over balloons. The lack of trust between them has increased in all spheres, including geopolitics, investments, and technology, and this is very worrying.Īfter President Biden and President Xi met at the G20 Summit in Bali last November, the world had hoped that relations would not continue in a downward spiral. The conflict in the meantime has disrupted energy and food supplies, causing energy and food prices to increase in many countries around the world. Now, the talk is mainly about how to fight the war, rather than how to end the hostilities. The prospects for an end to hostilities seem distant. Russia and Ukraine remain at war, after more than one year. Today, one and a half years later, we face a very different world and are grappling with new crises but in many ways the challenges we face are the same. I last spoke at this forum in October 2021, and I spoke about how the world seems to be lurching from one crisis to another, and how we could work together to deal with global issues in a more comprehensive way. SM Teo Chee Hean: Bobby, good to see you again. Minister, as you did the last time, would you start by giving us your overview on where things stand and then I’ll jump in with some questions. The world has changed a great deal in these past two years. Regular attendants to the Global Security Forum will remember the terrific conversation we have had a few years ago with Minister and I’m delighted to be able to pick up from where we left off. Mr Bobby Ghosh (Moderator): Hello and welcome to this firechat with Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean. ![]()
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