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Globalisation Still Important to Asia-Pacific: Dr Ng
18 February 2018
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Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (second from right) speaking on the topic "Peace and Security in the Asia Pacific" at the 10th Munich Young Leaders Roundtable.
Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen spoke at the 10th Munich Young Leaders (MYL) Roundtable this afternoon (Singapore time) on the topic "Peace and Security in the Asia Pacific".
At the roundtable, Dr Ng interacted with 20 young and upcoming leaders from 15 countries. He sought their views on the emerging world order, noting that forces such as globalisation and multilateralism that had benefitted almost all the countries since World War II were now increasingly under pressure. Attributing the success of the economic growth of the Asia-Pacific to globalisation, Dr Ng said that "the US and the western hemisphere countries were instrumental in putting in place globalisation 1.0 … after World War II". Seeking views from the young leaders, Dr Ng said that globalisation was still important, but there needs to be a "globalisation 2.0, with slightly different set of rules, adjustments and balance in positional powers".
Dr Ng also shared his views on whether the participants perceived a "clash of civilisations." Drawing from the Arab Spring, he sought the young leaders’ views on prospects for progress and democracy in the Middle East, and the hopes and aspirations of people in the Middle East.
The MYL Roundtable, held on the sidelines of the 54th Munich Security Conference, brings together young leaders from governments, think-tanks and the private sector from the Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States (US) to discuss issues related to foreign and security policy.
Dr Ng will be in Paris, France, from 19 to 20 Feb 2018 (Singapore time) to receive the Legion of Honour award. The award is the highest decoration in France given in recognition of outstanding service by civilians or military personnel, French or foreigner.
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