Permanent Mission of Singapore to the WTO and WIPO

The Singapore Mission in Geneva was delighted to host a reception to celebrate the adoption of the E-Commerce Agreement (ECA) at the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference in Yaounde, Cameroon. As the first set of global baseline rules on E-Commerce, the ECA marks a ground breaking win for the WTO, businesses, and consumers.

Ambassador Tan Hung Seng had an engaging meeting with the US Council for International Business (USCIB), which was founded 80 years ago and currently represents more than 300 American multinational companies, law firms and business associations.

They had an interesting and useful exchange of views on how the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) can better respond to emerging issues like innovation and commercialisation of intellectual property (IP) and artificial intelligence (AI).

Engaging the private sector is essential because when we listen to businesses, we are able to deliver outcomes that are meaningful, relevant, and impactful.

Singapore appreciates the strong support from all 194 Member States for the second term of WIPO Director General Daren Tang.

We look forward to working with Mr Tang and all Member States to drive a balanced and inclusive IP system that powers innovation and delivers real-world impact.

Congratulations to Daren Tang on his reappointment as Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization for a second term.

This is a strong vote of confidence from the international community. Under Daren’s leadership, WIPO has advanced intellectual property beyond a technical domain — making it a key driver of innovation, enterprise and growth. This is especially important as new technologies like AI reshape how ideas are created, shared and applied.

We are proud to see a fellow Singaporean contributing on the global stage — helping creators and businesses turn ideas into real opportunities and creating value across borders. I wish Daren every success in his next term as he continues this important work.

(📸: Photo by WIPO/Berrod)

🔹 Inspiring the next generation of global trade leaders!

Singapore’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and WIPO, Ambassador Tan Hung Seng, warmly welcomed a dynamic group of students to the Permanent Mission of Singapore in Geneva earlier today, including 3 Singaporean students Yuxuan, Heather, and Ashley.

Participating in the Model WTO 2026, organised by the University of St Gallen in partnership with the WTO, these young bright minds joined an engaging and candid dialogue with Ambassador Tan on the evolving challenges facing the multilateral trading system. From WTO reform to Responsible Consensus and Flexible Multilateralism, the exchange offered valuable insights into Singapore’s priorities at the WTO.

We hope the visit was both meaningful and motivating — and wish all participants a fruitful Model WTO 2026! 🌍

🔹How can the WTO stay relevant in a rapidly changing world?

Singapore’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and WIPO, Ambassador Tan Hung Seng, joined a Washington International Trade Association - WITA panel ahead of the World Trade Organization - WTO 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaoundé, Cameroon, to tackle this question, alongside PIIE Non-Resident Senior Fellow and Former European Commisioner for Trade, Cecilia Malmström; President of the National Foreign Trade Council, Jake Colvin; SVP, German Marshall Fund, Penny Naas, moderated by Non-Resident Senior Adviser, CSIS and former WTO DDG Angela Ellard.

Ambassador Tan highlighted the urgency of WTO reform, calling for more outcome-oriented decision-making through “responsible consensus” and “flexible multilateralism”. He also underscored the role of plurilateral initiatives, including ongoing work on the Electronic Commerce Agreement, for which Singapore is lead co-convenor, in enabling willing Members to move ahead while keeping the system open and inclusive.

💡 His takeaway: Like a house that was built in 1995 for a smaller Membership, the WTO must undergo re-design to adapt to a larger and more diverse Membership and changing circumstances over time.

Singapore looks forward to a constructive MC14 that charts a clear path for meaningful WTO reform.

🎥 Watch the full discussion:

WTO Matters: MC-14 and What Comes Next As WTO Members prepare for the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Cameroon this March, WITA International hosted a global webinar series: WTO Matters. The...

The Permanent Mission of Singapore in Geneva ushered in the Year of the Fire Horse with a festive luncheon on Saturday, 28 February 2026. We were delighted by the strong turnout of Singaporeans and their families, with many making the journey from across Switzerland, including St Gallen, Aargau, Zug, Zurich and beyond.

In his welcome address, Ambassador Tan Hung Seng highlighted Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s emphasis on the family as the foundation of Singapore’s strength. The rare overlap of Chinese New Year and Ramadan this year also reflects the beauty of Singapore’s multicultural harmony — built on mutual respect, trust and understanding.

The Permanent Mission of Singapore wishes all Singaporeans and their families in Switzerland good health, prosperity and happiness in the year ahead.

We also extend our warmest wishes to our Muslim friends for a blessed and meaningful Ramadan.

We look forward to welcoming even more Singaporeans at our next gathering!

Warmest congratulations to World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Director General Daren Tang on securing a resounding victory at the WIPO Coordination Committee election on 12 February 2026. Mr Tang’s nomination for a second term from 2026 to 2032 will be submitted to the WIPO General Assembly for approval on 21 April 2026. Singapore deeply appreciates the trust and support WIPO Member States have placed in Mr Tang’s continued leadership.

Congratulations to Daren Tang on his nomination for a second term as Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization from 2026 to 2032.

Daren made history in 2020 as the first Singaporean to head a UN agency, and has since guided WIPO’s efforts to support innovation and strengthen the global intellectual property system. His re-nomination is a strong affirmation of the confidence in his leadership, and reflects Singapore’s commitment to strengthening and renewing the multilateral system so that it remains effective, relevant and fit for purpose.

Dear fellow Singaporeans,

Greetings from the Permanent Mission of Singapore in Geneva!

We are pleased to inform you that registration for the New Year Luncheon for the Singaporean community in Switzerland on Saturday, 28 February 2026 in Geneva is now open!

Scan the QR code below or access the registration page by clicking on the link https://go.gov.sg/gvanewyearluncheon2026 to register.

Please note that due to space constraints at the restaurant, registration for the event will be on a first come first served basis and is limited to 80 persons. Successful registrants will receive a confirmation email from the Mission after registration closes.

We hope to see you at the gathering on Saturday, 28 February 2026!

Dear fellow Singaporeans,

Greetings from the Permanent Mission of Singapore in Geneva! We trust that you are all keeping well.

We are pleased to announce that the Mission will be holding our annual New Year Luncheon for the Singaporean community in Switzerland on Saturday, 28 February 2026, from 12pm to 3pm.

Please note that registration for the luncheon will commence on Monday, 9 February 2026 at 1000hrs.

The registration link and further details will be made available to Singaporeans via email and on our social media pages at that time.

Registration for the event will be on a first come first served basis. Due to space constraints, we seek your understanding that registration will close once we reach maximum capacity. Please avoid last minute cancellation (unless there are compelling reasons) so that we do not deprive other Singaporeans of the opportunity to attend the event.

We look forward to seeing you!