The President of the General Assembly Abdulla Shahid called on the President of Singapore, H.E. Mdm Halimah Yacob on 7 February 2022. It was highlighted that the visit by President Shahid was the first official visit of a President of the UN General Assembly to Singapore.
The President of the General Assembly used the opportunity to brief the President of Singapore on the progress achieved against the five priorities of his Presidency of Hope, as well as plans for the remainder of the seventy-sixth session of the Assembly. He particularly highlighted progress on those priorities related to youth, gender equality and women’s empowerment.
They exchanged views on the state of multilateralism and the role Singapore plays as a member of the international community. President Shahid commended Singapore for its commitment to multilateralism and for leading by example on foreign policy.
They also exchanged views on the importance of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on prospects for achieving them. They shared views on the international response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the experience of Singapore in responding to the pandemic.
The leaders discussed the existential challenge of climate change and how Singapore is responding, through the Singapore Green Plan 2030. The plan aims to strengthen Singapore’s commitments under the 2030 Agenda and Paris Agreement to achieve its long-term net zero emissions aspirations as soon as viable. They discussed the role and responsibility of the private sector in meeting climate commitments, noting that government, private sector, civil society, and the public all have a part to play.
President Shahid thanked the President of Singapore for the opportunity to meet and exchange views and for the hospitality extended.
7 February 2022
