Dear President Tom Wolf,

Vice President Jens Rübbert,

distinguished members of the Rotary Club of Singapore,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is truly an honor to be here with you today at the Rotary Club of Singapore, a network of institutions around the world renowned for its enduring commitment to community service and mutual understanding.

Your ethos of “Service Above Self” resonates deeply with the values Germany cherishes: Cooperating, enabling and sharing for the common good. President Tom Wolf, I would like to extend my appreciation to you for the important role you play in helping to steer the Club's many initiatives and I’m sure we all look forward to the continued success of the Club’s outreach and philanthropic efforts.

Today, I have the privilege of speaking to you about the strategic partnership between two countries that, at first glance, may seem quite different— Germany and Singapore. Despite being geographically distant, our two nations have fostered a reliable and multifaceted relationship over the years. This is not only the result of shared values and vision, but also a strong example of how collaboration across borders can lead to tangible benefits in business, technology, and diplomacy.

The relationship between Germany and Singapore has historic roots, but it truly began to deepen almost six decades ago, after Singapore’s independence in 1965. As a small nation with limited natural resources, Singapore has always sought to engage with global powers that could offer both economic and technological expertise. Germany, with its strong industrial base and advanced technology, quickly became a key partner. Fast forward to November 2024: Last week, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz formally elevated our nations’ relationship to a Strategic Partnership. This marks a pivotal moment in our bilateral relations. It highlights a mutual commitment to fostering peace, stability, and prosperity in an increasingly interconnected world.

I would like to give you a brief outline of the substance of the Strategic Partnership. The agreement is built around five core pillars, each of which represents a critical area where Germany and Singapore are already working together and where further growth is expected.

Firstly: Political and Security Cooperation. Germany and Singapore will deepen their defence ties, including in cybersecurity, disaster management, and military collaboration. This extends beyond traditional security to encompass emerging areas like artificial intelligence and advanced cybersecurity measures. It builds on an already close cooperation not just with regard to the defence industry, where Singapore recently commissioned German-built submarines, but also in the framework of an increased engagement of Germany in the Indopacific: This year’s Indo-Pacific Deployment of the German armed forces included joint exercises with Singaporean partners and a port call by two German Navy ships here in October.

The second pillar are Economic and Trade Relations. When we talk about the strategic partnership between Germany and Singapore, trade and economics have always been at the heart of this relationship. Germany is Singapore's largest trading partner in Europe, and Singapore is Germany’s key partner for economic relations with Southeast Asia. Both countries benefit from strong bilateral trade flows and investment. At the same time they both take advantage of their respective positions as gateways to the European Common Market and the ASEAN region. Key sectors include manufacturing, logistics, and finance, with both Germany and Singapore excelling in these industries. German companies have a significant presence here in Singapore, often using it as a gateway to the wider Southeast Asian market. The Strategic Partnership now emphasizes the digital economy, sustainable transport, and investment cooperation. Both countries are committed to advancing their digital economies, particularly through AI, and digitalization in the maritime sector. The EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement will be crucial in forging deeper trade ties, and as a foundation to more interregional cooperation between ASEAN and the EU. Moreover, there is a commitment to fostering innovation in fintech, advanced manufacturing, and sustainability. This leverages Germany’s industrial base and Singapore’s position as a tech hub in Southeast Asia.

The third pillar regards Climate Action and Energy Transition. With climate change as a defining challenge of our times, the partnership emphasizes joint innovation: in green energy, circular economy, and sustainable port development—fields where both nations are global leaders. This includes planned collaboration on renewable energy, hydrogen technology, and cross-border electricity trading to help both nations meet their net-zero goals. And, ladies and gentlemen, the modest outcome of the recent COP29 in Baku underlines even more to what extent bilateral collaboration is needed to achieve progress here.

The fourth pillar addresses Research and Technology. Both countries recognize the importance of digitalization, sustainability, and technological advancement for future growth. Germany, with its Industry 4.0 expertise, and Singapore, with its Smart Nation initiative, have found common ground in their pursuit of cutting-edge technologies. In fact, one of the most exciting areas of collaboration is in the realm of green technology and sustainability. Germany is a global leader in renewable energy and environmental technologies, and Singapore has been at the forefront of implementing smart, sustainable urban solutions. Together we have developed joint projects that focus on creating smart cities, promoting energy efficiency, and reducing carbon emissions. One example of this collaboration is the partnership between Singapore’s National Research Foundation and Germany’s Fraunhofer Society to advance research in areas such as artificial intelligence and robotics. With the Strategic Partnership, joint grants and talent exchanges shall drive progress in medical technology, quantum computing, and renewable energy. We want to build on the strengths of Germany’s research institutions and Singapore’s deep-tech ecosystem.

The 5th pillar of the Strategic Partnership focuses on education, cultural exchange, and people-to-people ties. There are plans to further strengthen academic partnerships, particularly in vocational training and engineering. Implementing these projects will be the task of both our governments, departments and other stakeholders – over the next two years, to begin with. Together with other recent policy documents - namely the Joint Political Declaration and the Framework for Sustainability and Innovation of 2022 - this will provide a bilateral framework to address global challenges together. Because as we celebrate this milestone, it is essential to situate our partnership within the broader context of recent global developments:

1. United States:

The reelection of Donald Trump in the United States has reignited debates on multilateralism and global trade. The policies of the incoming US Administration may shift certain dynamics around the world, and also in Asia. In any case, it reinforces the importance of partnerships that uphold a rules-based international order.

2. Germany:

In Germany, Chancellor Scholz now leads a minority government, navigating complex coalition politics at a time when decisive action is needed on economic and environmental fronts. Germany’s domestic challenges echo concerns that are shared globally, particularly with regard to energy security. economic recovery and growth.

Singapore for its part has entered a new chapter under the leadership of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who continues to emphasize stability and innovation while navigating Singapores fate in a region shaped by growing economic and geopolitical competition. These developments remind us of the importance of stable, forward-thinking alliances to manage uncertainties and build resilience.

Allow me to set out how the Strategic Partnership between Singapore and Germany translates into tandgible benefits:

Firstly - in Climate Leadership: As Singapore transitions to greener port technologies and Germany accelerates its Energiewende or energy transition, joint initiatives will set benchmarks for sustainable practices in energy, transport, and urban development.

Secondly: In Digitalization and Cybersecurity: Shared investments in AI and secure communication technologies will enhance the resilience of both nations in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Thirdly – in Economic Opportunities: For businesses, forums like the Germany- Singapore-Business-Forum Connect provide platforms to explore new ventures in fintech, advanced manufacturing, and sustainable infrastructure.

Fourthly – with regard to Youth and Education: From vocational training to academic exchanges, the partnership will equip the next generation to tackle challenges jointly, ensuring a steady pipeline of talent and innovation.

As we approach the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025, our strategic partnership is a blueprint for cooperation that transcends bilateralism. It is a call to action for like-minded nations to prioritize shared prosperity, environmental stewardship, and technological progress. In the words of Chancellor Scholz, “Our partnership is not just an investment in bilateral ties but in the future of multilateralism.” Similarly, Prime Minister Wong has highlighted the “innovative and forwardlooking” nature of this relationship as a model for addressing global challenges.

Ladies and gentlemen, the success of the Germany-Singapore Strategic Partnership depends on the shared commitment of governments, businesses, and individuals. As we look to the future, maybe we can draw inspiration from the Rotary’s dedication to making the world a better place. Together, as partners across continents, hopefully Singapore and Germany can contribute to a legacy of peace, progress, and resilience. Thank you.