Permanent Mission of Singapore to the UN in Geneva

is a wrap!

Minister Ong Ye Kung led the Singapore delegation to attend the annual World Health Assembly this past week. It has been a jam-packed week of back-to-back meetings and side events on various public health issues.

The Ministry of Health signed two health cooperation memorandums of agreement with the Philippines and Norway on the sidelines of the Assembly.

Our Communicable Diseases Agency - CDA organised a side event, in partnership with the Robert Koch Institute, and the World Health Organization (WHO) on strengthening global pandemic preparedness.

PR Jaya Ratnam also delivered our national statement to the Assembly where he underscored the importance of partnerships with external partners as the WHO reshapes itself for the future.

Finally, we are proud that Singapore Health Services was awarded the WHO’s Prize for Research in Health Care for the Elderly and in Health Promotion, and the Health Sciences Authority of Singapore was accorded the highest maturity level 4 recognition for medical device regulation.

Have wrapped up my visit to Geneva for the 79th World Health Assembly, and on board the plane to return to Singapore.

Due to my scheduling, I have to miss an important ceremony, with SingHealth being awarded His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Prize for the Promotion of Healthy Ageing, alongside Professor Bruno Vellas of France.

The award recognises SingHealth’s efforts in advancing healthy ageing, through initiatives like Healthier SG that are anchored in the community, and delivered together with partners.

Congratulations to the SingHealth team and partners on this meaningful recognition!

Photo: Prof Ng Wai Hoe, Group CEO, SingHealth (second from the left) receiving the award from
Dr Víctor Elías Atallah Lajam, President of the 79th World Health Assembly and Minister of Public Health, Dominican Republic, alongside Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General (third from the left) and Sheikh Dr Salman Al-Sabah, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health in the State of Kuwait (first on the right).

Grateful for the constructive engagement of member states at Singapore’s 4th UPR yesterday!

We organised a side event commemorating International Women’s Day at the 61st regular session of the Human Rights Council last week. The event took stock of Singapore’s efforts in progressing women’s rights since independence in 1965.

We were honoured to have a distinguished panel comprising CEDAW Member Bandana Rana, Singapore’s AICHR Representative and Chairperson of Singapore CSO SG Her Empowerment Stefanie Yuen Thio, President of the Singapore Muslim Women’s Association Razwana Begum, and Board Member and Immediate Past President of Singapore CSO United Women Singapore Georgette Tan.

The panellists shared their perspectives on Singapore’s progress, as well as areas we are working on, such as tackling online harms through changing mindsets, having culturally sensitive policies, and encouraging girls to enter traditionally male-dominated fields such as STEM.

Singapore is committed to continuing to work towards a fairer society for all, and empower young girls and women to achieve their dreams.

PR Jaya Ratnam paid his introductory call on Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at the World Health Organization (WHO) HQ yesterday.

They discussed the excellent collaboration between Singapore and the WHO, and ongoing global health developments ahead of the 79th World Health Assembly. PR Jaya also reaffirmed Singapore’s strong commitment to multilateral cooperation, and support for the WHO’s centrality in the global health architecture.

Photo credit: WHO Communications

The Forum of Small States (FOSS) was happy to welcome President of the 20th cycle of the Human Rights Council and PR of the Republic of Indonesia Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro to a Lunch Dialogue on 16 February.

2026 is an important year for the HRC - the Council marks its twentieth anniversary, and will undergo a status review. PR Sidharto briefed the FOSS on his priorities as President for the HRC this year, and FOSS Members shared their views on key issues for the HRC, including the rationalisation of mandates and the need to ensure that the HRC remained the primary platform for the UN to discuss human rights in an agile, interactive way.

We wish PR Sidharto all the best in the year ahead!

PR Jaya Ratnam was pleased to host a Forum of Small States (FOSS) Dialogue last week with the Co-Chairs of the UN80 Informal Ad-Hoc Working Group on the Mandate Implementation Review, HE Ms Carolyn Schwalger, Permanent Representative of New Zealand to the UN (New York) and HE Mr Brian Wallace, Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the UN (New York).

The FOSS PRs and Co-Chairs had a fruitful and candid discussion on the road ahead for the UN80 mandate reform efforts.

Small states are consistent supporters of the UN and the multilateral system. As FOSS Chair, Singapore is happy to facilitate such discussions for small states to share their perspectives.