Speech by SMS Koh Poh Koon at the SIEW 10th Edition Reception

OPENING REMARKS FOR THE SIEW 10th EDITION RECEPTION BY DR KOH POH KOON, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, AT THE SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL ENERGY WEEK 2017, ON MONDAY, 23 OCTOBER 2017, 7 PM, ME@OUE

Mr Charif Souki, Chairman, Tellurian

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Welcome

1.                  A warm welcome to all of you here at the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW)

10th Edition Reception

2.                  This year marks the 10th edition of SIEW. Since 2008, SIEW has brought together 116,000 energy players from more than 80 countries to discuss important issues shaping the industry. This confluence of global players – whether they are from governments, industry, academia, or international organisations – from the various tracks and sectors of the energy industry has allowed SIEW to become a premier annual event for energy dialogue and partnerships. And we could not have done it without the support of everyone here.

3.                  As Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean highlighted this morning in the Singapore Energy Lecture, the global energy landscape will experience a mix of incremental and transformational changes going forward. This is reflected in this year’s SIEW theme: “Rethinking Energy; Navigating Change”. Having said that, the energy challenges that we have and will continue to face are not ours alone. The solutions required for a more secure, sustainable and affordable energy future will be grounded in joint effort. For that reason, SIEW has grown over the years, creating more platforms to bring together global stakeholders from across the energy spectrum to exchange ideas, forge partnerships and strengthen collaboration. For example, various international organisations and research institutes will share their expertise at the SIEW Thinktank roundtables this Thursday and Friday, on topics ranging from nuclear safety and small scale grids to energy efficiency and gas security.

4.                  The SIEW network has helped shape a more collaborative global energy future. It can also contribute to building the capacity of the region to handle new challenges. By continuing to share best practices and solutions among our community, we can navigate these opportunities and challenges together.

5.                  On this note, we would like to acknowledge Tellurian, our sponsor for tonight’s event, for their strong support of SIEW over the years. Reaching this milestone would not have been possible without your continued support and active participation.

6.                  Let me conclude with this year’s tagline – “Celebrate. Connect. Co-Create”. Today, we celebrate the 10th anniversary of SIEW, as well as the progress that the energy sector has achieved over the last decade. The events during SIEW, including this reception, offer valuable opportunities for companies to network and connect. It is also our hope that the discussions at SIEW will spur co-creation of energy solutions and the building of partnerships.

7.                  I hope you will enjoy tonight’s reception and the beautiful skyline of Singapore, and I wish you a fruitful week ahead at SIEW 2017.