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Dr Ng: Top Priority to Avoid a Physical Conflict in Asia and to Build a Reservoir of Trust Among Countries
18 February 2024
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Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (second from left) speaking at the 60th Munich Security Conference (MSC) Main Panel on "Connecting Hemispheres: Aligning Strategic Priorities in a Multi-Crisis Era".
Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen is in Germany from 16 to 18 February 2024 (Singapore time) to speak at the 60th Munich Security Conference (MSC). The MSC is an annual high-level security conference that brings together heads of government, defence and foreign ministers, parliamentarians, military leaders, and security experts from around the world. This year's MSC covers a wide range of security issues such as geopolitical and security developments in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and other security issues pertaining to defence cooperation, international trade and climate security.
Dr Ng spoke at the MSC Main Panel Discussion on the topic "Connecting Hemispheres: Aligning Strategic Priorities in a Multi-Crisis Era" moderated by Senior Correspondent, CNBC, Silvia Amaro. Alongside Dr Ng on the panel were German Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius, and Tanzanian Minister of Defence and National Service Dr Stergomena Tax.
Dr Ng spoke about pressing strategic priorities in the face of multiple and simultaneous crises. He said, "You cannot stop countries from deciding that they are going to spend to protect their interests. You could probably have agreements, as we have against nuclear proliferation, but it will be in diplomatic solutions, and it will be in multilateral forums that we are having now to pre-empt conflicts. And to me that's the top priority for Asia. We must avoid a conflict in Asia. The world cannot afford one."
Dr Ng highlighted those countries will have to step up if they want to protect what they believe in. He said, "We believe in the balance of powers, so countries do have to step up for their conviction of their beliefs and exercise them. And when we fail, it is tempting to say, "Well, we have not done what is right". But let me rephrase the question. What other options do you have if you don't have multilateralism? If you don't have trade? If you don't have partnerships? What do you resort to?"
Dr Ng (second from left) speaking alongside German Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius (second from right) and Tanzanian Minister of Defence and National Service Dr Stergomena Tax (left) at the 60th MSC Main Panel.
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