Addendum to the President’s Address at the Opening of the First Session of the 15th Parliament

PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (STRATEGY GROUP)

ADDENDUM TO THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS

MR GAN KIM YONG
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER-IN-CHARGE OF STRATEGY GROUP

The Strategy Group will continue to lead the Public Service to develop and implement strategic priorities and tackle long-term national challenges, to build a better Singapore for all.

Our Future Singapore – Driving Strategic Priorities for the New Term

We begin this new term of Government in a more uncertain, fragmented, and dangerous world. We have to contend with a changing global order, big power contestation, and a more volatile economic outlook, which present headwinds for a small and open economy like Singapore. We must be nimble and adapt quickly, to continue to secure good outcomes and seize new opportunities for Singapore and Singaporeans.

The Strategy Group has developed a set of strategic priorities to: (a) secure Singapore’s place in a changed world; (b) transform our economy to keep it competitive; (c) expand opportunities and strengthen assurances for all; (d) unite Singaporeans; and (e) forge stronger partnerships with individuals, communities, and businesses to shape Singapore’s future together.

The Strategy Group will drive Whole-of-Government efforts to implement our national priorities, while ensuring that agencies work together to address critical cross-cutting issues, achieve greater synergies, and manage trade-offs optimally across policy domains. At the same time, the Strategy Group will sharpen foresight and sense-making to better anticipate future challenges and opportunities and develop robust strategies in response.

Our Population – Tackling Challenges and Harnessing Potential 

The Government must deal with two demographic challenges – a declining fertility rate and a rapidly ageing population.

To address Singapore’s low fertility rate, the Government will redouble our efforts to support marriage and parenthood, and build a Singapore Made For Families. We have support measures spanning housing, healthcare, and education, to financial and caregiving support, with recent enhancements to our parental leave schemes to provide parents with 30 weeks of paid leave in the child’s first year. More support has also been extended to families with three or more children through the new Large Families Scheme. In this term, we will do more to help parents better manage their work and family commitments, and work with stakeholders such as employers and community partners to build a culture that celebrates and values families.

As our seniors live healthier and longer lives, we will do more to harness longevity as an opportunity. The Government will continue to support seniors to lead active and healthy lives, stay employed if they wish, and age with confidence. We will also enhance our built environment and service provisions, so our seniors can be well cared for in their homes and connected to their communities.

Our foreign workforce and immigration policies play an important role in mitigating the impact of low birth rates and ageing, on the economy and society. The Government will carefully manage our foreign worker and immigration flows, while helping newcomers integrate into our society. We will also work with stakeholders to support new citizens in connecting with their local communities and building stronger bonds. 

Climate Change – Securing our Longer-Term Competitiveness and Survival

Continued investment in climate action is critical for Singapore’s long-term competitiveness and survival.  Singapore remains committed to our net zero emissions by 2050 target. This year, the Government announced our target to reduce emissions to between 45 and 50 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e) in 2035 as part of our 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution. We will follow through with concrete action. First, we will work to decarbonise our energy mix, by advancing domestic solar deployment, pursuing cross-border electricity trade, and considering potential green energy solutions like geothermal and nuclear for the future. Second, we will continue to pursue key mitigation measures such as carbon capture, utilisation, and storage. Third, we will work with industry to develop robust transition plans for businesses. 

At the same time, Singapore will need to prepare for the growing physical impact of climate change, especially rising sea levels and heat. In addition to our existing plans on coastal protection, we will work with businesses and other stakeholders to strengthen climate adaptation. This includes boosting heat resilience and partnering neighbouring countries to tackle transboundary climate risks.

To support Singapore’s efforts, global cooperation and action is essential. As such, the Government will continue to advocate for global standards and regulations, while exploring international collaborations that support our mitigation efforts. We have signed eight Article 6 carbon credits Implementation Agreements to grow our pipeline of high-quality credits.

Building a Better Singapore for All

The Government’s ability to work in an integrated and collaborative way, as well as to think ahead and plan for the long term, has served us well and will remain essential. As we navigate the challenges ahead, the Strategy Group will continue to lead the Public Service in advancing today’s priorities, while preparing for tomorrow’s possibilities.