Singapore, Sweden boost clean energy cooperation

Speaking during the session, Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch noted that energy, including hydropower and nuclear, has been at the heart of the Nordic country’s economic story.

While Sweden and Singapore face different challenges, they share the same determination to meet them in partnership, said Busch, who is also Minister for Energy.

At the university, President Tharman and King Gustaf witnessed the signing of an agreement between the Royal Institute of Technology and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) to explore opportunities in capability development programmes for public sector leaders. The agreement will also see both institutions collaborate on a one-week overseas study visit to Stockholm as part of LKYSPP’s senior management programme.

“The agreement reflects the growing importance of equipping public sector leaders with insights into how technology, innovation and industrial strategy intersect with public policy,” said LKYSPP in a statement.

“These are areas in which both Singapore and Sweden have established strong track records.”

Separately, LKYSPP and the Stockholm School of Economics also signed an agreement to explore closer cooperation across areas of mutual interest. These include a recurring forum that brings together academic experts, public officials, industry leaders and representatives of civil society from ASEAN and Nordic countries to address shared policy challenges.

LKYSPP said the collaboration is especially timely following the establishment of Stockholm School of Economics’ new Master in Public Policy programme, which offers “natural opportunities for engagement” between the two schools.

President Tharman’s visits to the Stockholm School of Economics and Royal Institute of Technology took place on the second last day of a five-day state visit to Sweden.

On Oct 19, he met members of the Swedish Parliament, known as the Riksdag, including Speaker Andreas Norlen. They exchanged views on developments in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, and agreed on the importance of Singapore and Sweden working together to uphold a rules-based multilateral system.

The President also met Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, and the pair exchanged views on regional and global developments and discussed how both countries can work together to deepen ASEAN cooperation with Sweden and the European Union, such as in rules to foster digital trade.

On his trip, President Tharman also met Swedish opposition leader Magdalena Andersson, and they exchanged views on regional and global issues.

At the state banquet hosted by Sweden’s King and Queen, President Tharman spoke of his admiration for Sweden, including for its “depth of expertise in various fields, its vibrant start-up culture and its remarkable profusion of unicorns, even as it sustains an egalitarian ethos in society”.

A unicorn is a start-up company with a valuation of over US$1 billion (S$1.28 billion).

He also highlighted Sweden’s constructive role in international affairs, environmental efforts and the commitment of its people to supporting humanitarian causes abroad.

“Like any other society, you have your social challenges that you are making major efforts to address,” said President Tharman.

“But there has always been much to learn from Sweden, to observe from your experiments, and to share from ours in Singapore.”