Participation in subsidiary organs

Organs elected by the General Conference

Intergovernmental Bioethics Committee
Rapporteur : Mr Charles Lim
Member (Term expires : 39th General Conference)

Other intergovernmental organs

Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
Member

Addresses delivered in the general policy debate by the Head of Delegation at the General Conference

37 session of the General Conference

His Excellency, Mr Lawrence Wong, acting Minister of Culture, Community and Youth of Singapore

Speech delivered during the General Policy Debate of the 37th session of the General Conference - revised and corrected version of the verbatim records of plenary meetings

36 session of the General Conference

H.E. Mr Lawrence WONG, Minister of State, Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Education

Speech delivered during the General Policy Debate of the 36th session of the General Conference and posted as received

35 session of the General Conference

H.E. Dr Ng Eng Hen, Minister of Education

“Let me take this opportunity to commend Mr Matsuura for his strong leadership as the Director-General of UNESCO over the past decade. I also wish to congratulate the new Director-General, Ms Irina Bokova (…).”
“Singapore supports UNESCO’s priority on Education for All, (…). Singapore also agrees wholeheartedly with UNESCO that competent and committed teachers are key to achieving Education for All. Just last year, we organised a UNESCO Educators Workshop for teachers from the Asia Pacific region to exchange best practices on teaching and learning. Recently, with UNESCO’s support, some African principals attended the 9th World Convention of the International Confederation of Principals in Singapore, which allowed them to exchange ideas with over 1,000 principals from around the world.”
“We are enhancing the quality of education in our primary and secondary schools by hiring more and better teachers and improving the curriculum. (…) We will spend more to upgrade our technical education and polytechnic sectors. We are building a new university in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a top Chinese university.”
“(…) Singapore has a natural affinity to UNESCO’s commitment to preserve and promote cultural diversity. Singapore is a multi-cultural and multi-racial society, where different communities thrive in diversity but are united by our common identity as Singaporeans. Our arts and cultural sector plays a critical role in fostering cross-cultural understanding and celebrating our multicultural values to forge that common identity.”
“Singapore has also supported the UNESCO “Memory of the World” project for the digitisation of ancient manuscripts, in collaboration with UNESCO Phnom Penh. The opening of Singapore’s National Art Gallery in 2012 will help us play a greater role in the research, scholarship and promotion of South-East Asian visual arts and culture. We will partner with UNESCO Member States to promote greater cultural and professional exchanges.”
“Singapore supports UNESCO’s strategic objectives of enhancing access to information and knowledge, so that members of our society are well-informed and engaged in learning.”
“Singapore supports UNESCO’s goal of “mobilizing science knowledge and policy for sustainable development. As a small country, we have benefited much from the application of science and technology to overcome our limited resource constraints. We are working with UNESCO to jointly promote knowledge-sharing and networking among Asia’s foremost water institutions and professionals (…).”
“(…) Singapore has set up a new Inter-Ministerial Committee for Sustainable Development in April this year to conceptualise a blueprint for the next 20 years.”
“We are happy to host once again the World Cities Summit in June 2010 (…).”

34 session of the General Conference

H.E. Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister of State for Education and Manpower

“The 34th session of the General Conference of UNESCO represents a significant milestone for Singapore. Today, after an absence of more than 20 years, Singapore is pleased to rejoin the UNESCO as a full member.”
“Singapore is committed to supporting UNESCO’s goal of sustainable development, based upon the observance of human rights, mutual respect and the alleviation of poverty, through the promotion of collaboration among nations in education, science and culture.”
Singapore supports the Education for All programme. All Singaporean children today are given the opportunity to receive high quality education, regardless of their race, gender, family or social background. The country wishes to share its experience with other States.
Singapore is committed to the preservation and promotion of cultural diversity, as well as integrating contemporary arts to the rich cultural heritage of the country. Some examples are the 120-year-old National Museum of Singapore, the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay and the annual Singapore Arts Festival.
Singapore is committed to international cooperation in culture, and hopes to advance cross-cultural understanding and respect for diversity through various platforms, including UNESCO.
“As a small island state, Singapore is aware of the importance of diversifying its water supply to ensure sustainability. […] We are also extremely encouraged by UNESCO’s efforts and commitment in this area, including UNESCO’s International Hydrological Programme.”
“UNESCO, with its 193 Member States, serves as a vital platform for the development of effective strategies to tackle global issues in pursuit of peace and human development for all mankind. Singapore is pleased to participate in this important and meaningful endeavour.”