Singapore’s foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan says Singapore will pursue deeper ASEAN integration and wider external partnerships during its ASEAN chairmanship in 2027. Speaking at the Milken Institute Asia Summit, he frames the priorities as responses to global uncertainties that affect regional coordination and economic stability.
Balakrishnan says Singapore will seek stronger ties beyond ASEAN, including engagement with the European Union and countries in Africa, South America and the Pacific Islands. Some outlets report that progress on these goals will be important for the chair’s effectiveness.
In addition to regional and partnership plans, Balakrishnan discusses the broader geopolitical environment, including navigating US–China rivalry. He also points to emerging technological risks, warning about the potential dangers associated with increasingly autonomous AI agents. Across reports, the emphasis is on how Singapore plans to manage both regional integration and external engagement while accounting for shifting global dynamics.
