Singapore extends capacity building programmes for Pacific Island officials: ‘Small states are stronger when we work together’

“Small states are stronger when we work together.”This, said Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, was the recurring message at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Dialogue on Tuesday (Sept 1).He was in Koror, Palau, to attend the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, a key regional forum in the Pacific for cooperation among its members and engagement with external partners.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) had said in an earlier statement on Aug 30 that Singapore has been a dialogue partner since its admission in 2022. Writing in a Facebook post at the conclusion of his visit, Dr Balakrishnan said that Singapore, as with countries in the Pacific, face common challenges such as climate change and sustainable development — amid an increasing complex world. He added that the countries also share a strong belief in international law, effective multilateralism and strong regional institutions that give small states a greater voice and agency.”Our partnership has always been built on practical cooperation,” the foreign minister highlighted.