MEXICO CITY – Singapore will open an embassy in Mexico City in 2026, reflecting deeper ties between both countries.<\/p>\n
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam announced this on Dec 2 during <\/p>\n his first state visit<\/p>\n <\/a> to Mexico and also Latin America. <\/p>\n \u201cOur decision reflects Singapore\u2019s confidence in Mexico\u2019s future and will allow us to engage with Mexico\u2019s leaders, officials and the business and cultural community more actively and deeply,\u201d said Mr Tharman, in remarks to the media alongside Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum at the National Palace located in the Mexican capital.<\/p>\n The Mexican mission will be Singapore\u2019s first embassy in the Spanish-speaking world and second in Latin America, after opening one in Brazil in 2012.<\/p>\n This follows Prime Minister Lawrence Wong\u2019s announcement in November of a <\/p>\n new embassy in Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa<\/p>\n <\/a> by 2027, after he said in April that Singapore will open new diplomatic missions in Africa and Latin America over the next few years. <\/p>\n Both Mr Tharman and Ms Sheinbaum gave their remarks after witnessing the signing of two memorandums of understanding.<\/p>\n The first on international development cooperation will allow both countries to promote economic and social development in developing countries using complementary financial, technical and human resources. <\/p>\n The second agreement covers cooperation in coral reef restoration and a sustainable blue economy. A sustainable blue economy uses ocean resources for economic development while ensuring the health of the marine ecosystem. <\/p>\n Both countries\u2019 shared commitment to a better future is the cornerstone of the deepening relationship, said Mr Tharman, who highlighted the growing economic and cultural ties in his remarks.<\/p>\n The 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations is the launch pad for a new era in both countries\u2019 relationship, one of greater depth and breadth, he added. Singapore first established diplomatic ties with Mexico in December 1975.<\/p>\n Citing a Spanish saying \u201cdonde hay amistad, no hay distancia\u201d \u2013 where there is friendship there is no distance \u2013 Mr Tharman said it captures the spirit of the partnership between both countries.<\/p>\n The state visit occurs amid global change and uncertainty, with a weakening rules-based international order and shifting supply chains.<\/p>\n Against this backdrop, Singapore and Mexico\u2019s relations take on a new significance, said Mr Tharman.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is precisely in times like this that we must build resilience and grow new opportunities by diversifying our economic networks, in particular by investing in trusted bilateral partnerships and forming new international coalitions of ambition, and by refreshing the multilateral frameworks that we all rely on,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Speaking in Spanish, Ms Sheinbaum said that she received with enthusiasm the news of Singapore\u2019s new resident embassy in Mexico City. <\/p>\n With that, Mexico will have 87 resident embassies, a reflection of growing interest in Mexico, she said. <\/p>\n It is uncommon for Singapore to open new overseas missions \u2013 the most recent embassies were established in Timor-Leste in 2024, Israel in 2022 and Oman in 2013.<\/p>\n President Tharman Shanmugaratnam (centre) with his spouse Ms Jane Ittogi (left) and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum (right) during the welcome ceremony at the National Palace in Mexico City on Dec 1.<\/p>\n ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Singapore appointed its first non-resident ambassador to Mexico in 1997, and the current non-resident ambassador Balendran Singham was appointed in October 2022. It also has an honorary consulate in Mexico City.<\/p>\n An embassy is the country\u2019s main diplomatic mission, typically located in the capital. Singapore has several non-resident ambassadors who represent the country in countries with no resident embassy. They are appointed by the Government, and have varied backgrounds including the private sector and academia. <\/p>\n Mr Tharman also pointed out the similarities between both countries \u2013 Singapore and Mexico are both open economies and each serve as gateways to broader regions: Mexico to North America and the broader Americas; Singapore to South-east Asia and the wider Asia-Pacific.<\/p>\n Both economies are also highly complementary, he noted. Singapore brings capital and digital innovation and logistics capabilities that can support Mexico\u2019s efforts to build higher value industries while Mexico brings scale, manufacturing capacity, talent, and proximity to the world\u2019s largest consumer market – the United States.<\/p>\n He cited agreements such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the <\/p>\n Pacific Alliance-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (PASFTA)<\/p>\n <\/a> as efforts by both sides to uphold high-standard, rules-based trade.<\/p>\n<\/picture><\/div>