Big Changes to the World Order: Dr Ng

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen spoke at the 9th Munich Young Leaders Round Table this afternoon (Singapore time) on the topic "A Reset of the Global Order". 

At the round table, Dr Ng said that the backlash against globalisation, particularly in Europe and the US, heralded a shift in the global world order. The end of World War II had previously brought a common cause and clear leader: that is, rebuilding and enhancing global linkages, led by the US, whose economy and country had not been ravaged by the war. However, the growth of new centres of economic and military power in a more multipolar world had given rise to a spectrum of cross-cutting and complex global changes. Dr Ng observed that common challenges could help to unite nations, although "history reminds us that in the absence of a global order and common cause, the default is regional hegemony, and each region basically marches to its own tune". 

The Munich Young Leaders Round Table, held on the sidelines of the 53rd Munich Security Conference (MSC), brings together young leaders from governments, think-tanks and the private sector from the Asia-Pacific countries, Europe, the Middle-East, and the United States (US) to discuss issues related to foreign and security policy. 

As part of his programme, Dr Ng also held bilateral meetings with his European counterparts, including Swiss Head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport Guy Parmelin and United Kingdom Secretary of State for Defence Michael Fallon today (Singapore time).

Dr Ng will meet Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee, National People's Congress of China, Fu Ying, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and Turkish Defence Minister Fikri Işık later today (Singapore time).

Dr Ng will also speak on the topic "Pacific No More? Security in East Asia and the Korean Peninsula" at the 53rd MSC on 19 Feb (Singapore time).

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Speech by Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen, at 9th Munich Young Leaders Round Table