Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen hosted a dinner reception for participating organisations, sponsors and key appointment holders of the National Day Parade (NDP) 2018 organising committee in recognition of their dedication and support towards the success of this year's NDP. During the reception, Dr Ng presented awards to 20 Gold Award recipients and 76 Principal Partners to thank them for their hard work and contributions. 

The theme of this year's NDP, 'We Are Singapore' celebrates the strength and resilience of our people and rallies Singaporeans to overcome future challenges and adversities together. In his speech, Dr Ng thanked the thousands of people from the Singapore Armed Forces, Home Team, and the public and private sector who came together to make NDP 2018 a resounding success. 

Dr Ng said, "(NDP 18) gave expression to what Singapore is and wants to become… through the most time-tested method of good storytelling. It reflected Singapore's story through the lives of ordinary Singaporeans who performed extraordinary acts. These stories… were accessible. Singaporeans felt that… (they were) easy to relate with." Citing the making of this year's NDP theme song as an expression of your youth's hopes and dreams, he added, "There was another richly symbolic facet of NDP 18. A younger generation, (through) building on what previous generations have done… owns the Singapore of today and commits to shaping the Singapore of tomorrow."

Dr Ng also announced that next year's NDP would be held at the Padang. He said, "Next year, Singapore will commemorate its Bicentennial… The Bicentennial NDP will be held at the Padang, appropriately, as it has been a site that has been the witness to many key events in Singapore's history." 

At the same appreciation function, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General (LG) Melvyn Ong presented the awards to 47 Major Partners and 200 Co-partners of NDP 2018. LG Ong will also present the Silver Awards to 316 recipients at a separate appreciation event next week.