It was a year of “We First” moments as Singapore celebrated its 60th year of independence.
This SG60, Singaporeans all over the island turned everyday acts into meaningful moments to show how we care together.
Through developing connections around the world, showing care and making contributions, the “We First” spirit came to life and was built to last well beyond SG60.
We take a look at eight key moments from this year’s SG60 celebration:
Developing connections with the world
Despite our size, Singapore is known for efficiency and modern outlook, which has found us on the world stage. This year, the nation took it up a notch by developing connections with our neighbours and beyond, making SG60 truly a celebration of people and diversity.
1. Chingay – Joint nomination with Malaysia for UNESCO
Singapore jointly nominated the Chingay parade with Malaysia for a spot on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in March 2025.
This celebration of culture was scaled up in 2025, with the Chingay celebrations reaching all the way to the heartlands, resulting in a record 174,000 participants.
2. World Aquatics Championships – First Southeast Asian country to host
This year, Singapore became the first Southeast Asian country to host the World Aquatics Championships and the first Asian country to host the World Para Swimming Championships.
These events helped to put Singapore on the global sporting stage and allowed Singaporean fans to cheer for Team Singapore athletes on our local turf.
