Skip to main content

Government officials will never ask you to transfer money or disclose bank log-in details over a phone call.

Call the 24/7 ScamShield Helpline at 1799 if you are unsure if something is a scam.

Prime Minister's Office Singapore
  1. Home
  2. Newsroom
  3. Intervention by PM Lee Hsien Loong on "Food and Energy Security" at the G20 Bali Summit
Speech

Intervention by PM Lee Hsien Loong on "Food and Energy Security" at the G20 Bali Summit

People

SM Lee Hsien Loong

Topics

Environment

Trade

15 November 2022

Intervention by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Session 1 "Food and Energy Security" at the G20 Bali Summit on 15 November 2022.

This article has been migrated from an earlier version of the site and may display formatting inconsistencies.

Large conference room with G20 flags, world leaders at tables, map design in center.

I would like to thank President Jokowi for Indonesia’s excellent hospitality, and for inviting Singapore to this year’s G20 Meeting.

Recurring waves of COVID-19 around the world and Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine have exacerbated global food and energy insecurity. As a small island state that imports most of its food and energy needs, Singapore has long understood acutely the importance of maintaining access to food and energy sources.

May I offer three suggestions: First, we need to strengthen the rules-based multilateral trading system. This is important so that all countries continue to enjoy unimpeded access to energy, food and agricultural commodities, especially during crises. Singapore takes our role as a trusted hub for logistics, transportation, and energy very seriously. We look forward to working with partners to keep global supply chains free and open.

Second, we must collectively accelerate our net zero ambitions. Climate change is the longer-term threat to food and energy security. Singapore is systematically working towards our target of net-zero by 2050. We are raising carbon taxes significantly. We will implement a National Hydrogen Strategy to green our power sector. We are working with regional partners to develop the ASEAN Power Grid, to enhance regional energy interconnectivity and security while supporting decarbonisation efforts.

Third, we need to scale up sustainable financing. Countries will need more transition finance to help hard-to-abate sectors decarbonise or switch to green energy. For example, the Asian Development Bank’s Energy Transition Mechanism is helping to facilitate the early retirement of coal-powered plants. And it is important also to mobilise private capital. The Monetary Authority of Singapore is injecting seed capital into an Asia Climate Solutions Design Grant. This will fund studies on innovative blended finance solutions and mobilise capital for target sectors within Asia. It is just one example of how we can encourage private sector participation in sustainable infrastructure projects.

We look forward to working with G20 partners to strengthen global food and energy security.

Thank you. 

Explore related topics

Back to top