Speech by Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Minister for Defence Mr Chan Chun Sing at the Singapore Garden Festival Awards Night on 3 July 2026 at Gardens by the Bay

Minister Chee Hong Tat,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

A very good evening to all of you, and a warm welcome to the Singapore Garden Festival 2026 Awards Night.

Tonight, we celebrate not just the 10th edition of the Singapore Garden Festival, but also the enduring vision that has guided Singapore’s transformation into a City in Nature. This vision reflects our commitment to future generations: to provide not just material wellbeing but also an environment where they can live well and take pride in our home. The Festival is a testament to our dedication to nurturing stewards of Singapore’s environment, while building bridges across communities and with international partners.

A Bold Idea Blossoms

When SGF was launched in 2006, it began as an ambitious idea—to gather the world’s top garden and landscape designers under one roof and showcase Singapore’s talents on the global stage. Over the past two decades, this idea has blossomed into one of the world’s premier international garden and flower shows, standing alongside the Chelsea Flower Show in the UK and the Philadelphia Flower Show in the US.

SGF has grown not just in scale, but also in significance. It is more than just an exhibition; it is a space where communities converge—international masters, local practitioners, student designers, and community gardeners. This year, participants from 17 countries across four continents are competing in the Floral Windows to the World Championship, underscoring SGF’s global reach and reputation.

Nurturing Talent and Partnerships

SGF has played a pivotal role in developing Singapore’s landscape industry. It provides a platform for homegrown designers and firms to showcase their work, benchmark against international standards, and sharpen their capabilities. Through collaboration with world-class designers, our local players gain valuable experience, push the boundaries of landscape design and raise the bar for horticultural excellence.

For example, in the Show Gardens competition, local implementing partners work hand-in-hand with designers to bring their visions to life. Firms like Nature Landscapes, Prince’s Landscape, and Nyee Phoe Flower Garden have been steadfast partners since SGF’s inception, and their contributions have been instrumental in shaping the Festival’s success.

SGF also nurtures the next generation of landscape professionals. Through initiatives like the Landscape Design Challenge, students from Institutes of Higher Learning gain hands-on experience, translating classroom knowledge into practice and building competencies for future careers.

In many ways, SGF reflects Singapore’s role on the world stage—building bridges, deepening partnerships, and nurturing talent. It is a platform where diverse perspectives come together, fostering connections and collaborations that grow and flourish.

Celebrating Excellence

Tonight, we honour the pinnacle of creativity and technical mastery in landscape and greenery design. The Show Gardens: All Stars Edition brings together eight past “Best of Show” winners from Singapore and around the world, working alongside local implementing partners. This format celebrates how far the competition has come since its debut two decades ago.

The My Living Space Competition reminds us that greenery is not just about grand landscapes but also about enriching our everyday spaces. I commend all participants for their inspiring works, which reflect the creativity and passion that drive this Festival.

Commemorating SGF’s 10th Edition

To mark this milestone, I am delighted to unveil a new orchid hybrid—the Papilionanthe Singapore Garden Festival. Its ancestry traces back to our national flower, Miss Joaquim, and its multicultural breeding background reflects the Festival’s international spirit.

I am also pleased to announce the launch of a commemorative book, Singapore Garden Festival: Celebrating Nature, Inspiring Gardens Since 2006. This book captures SGF’s transformation into a global platform and the many milestones that have shaped its journey.

Looking Ahead

Tomorrow, the Festival officially opens to the public, offering nine days of immersive experiences—from elaborate floral installations and themed gardens to interactive light displays and a vibrant marketplace. I encourage everyone to encourage our friends to explore and be inspired.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to NParks and Gardens by the Bay for their dedication in bringing this Festival to life. I also commend the judges, designers, competitors, industry partners, donors, and volunteers for their invaluable contributions.

SGF is a celebration of our shared commitment to the environment and a reminder of the possibilities that emerge when people come together with passion and purpose. May the Festival continue to inspire new ideas, forge new partnerships, and strengthen Singapore’s role as a trusted hub for talent and innovation.

I wish all of you a wonderful time at this year’s Festival, and may you continue to come and join us year after year.

Thank you.