Leading think-tanks and international organisations celebrated SG50 at Heng Mui Keng Terrace

Over 100 representatives from 4 of Singapore’s leading think-tanks and 6 international organisations, located at Heng Mui Keng Terrace, came together on Wednesday, 10 June 2015 to celebrate 50 years of Singapore.

“A Japanese newspaper once referred to Singapore as a ‘think-tank country’. Why does Singapore have so many think-tanks? We do so because of our realisation that knowledge is power and knowledge also has economic value”, said Professor Tommy KOH, Ambassador-at-Large from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, who was the Guest of Honour for today’s event. Prof. KOH was nostalgic remembering his association with this campus particularly as the first Executive Director of the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF).

“Today’s gathering is not an ordinary one”, highlighted Ambassador ZHANG Yan, ASEF’s Executive Director.

“Against the backdrop of the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Singapore, we wish to use the occasion to join the Singapore people in celebrating this historical moment and to express our gratitude and appreciation to our host-country for the generous help given to us over the years”, he added.

Whether it is Singapore’s free trade, open economy, goodwill gesture towards foreign countries or quality public service – all 10 institutes (mentioned below) have important roles to play. On behalf of Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prof. KOH thanked all representatives from the 10 international institutions who participated in today’s event to celebrate Singapore’s golden jubilee.

The 10 participating institutions:

• Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF)
• Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
• Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU)
• Energy Studies Institute (ESI)
• Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS)
• Institute Of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS)
• Middle East Institute (MEI)
• Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC)
• UNDP Global Centre for Public Service Excellence (UNDP GCPSE)
• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)