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FORMATION OF INTER-MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE
ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

An Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development (IMCSD), co-chaired by Minister for National Development Mr. Mah Bow Tan and Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Dr. Yaacob Ibrahim, has been formed to develop a holistic sustainable development strategy for Singapore going forward. The Inter-Ministerial Committee also includes Minister for Finance Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Minister for Transport Mr. Raymond Lim, and Minister of State for Trade & Industry Mr. S Iswaran.

2. The Inter-Ministerial Committee was announced by the Prime Minister at the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he emphasized that sustainable development would continue to be a priority for Singapore going forward. As a start, the Committee’s objectives are two-fold. First, it will articulate a clear national framework and strategy to achieve a sustainable and high quality living environment that is consistent with economic growth. Second, it will seek to build new competencies and facilitate mind-share across the public, private and people sectors to develop Singapore as an “Eco-Hub” i.e. an innovative thought-centre and hub for urban and environmental sustainability.

3. Minister Mah paints the Committee’s vision for Singapore: “We want to position Singapore as a leading, distinctive Eco-City State that is not just economically vibrant but also environmentally sustainable. This means growing as fast as we can, whilst ensuring that our good living environment and economic growth potential for future generations would not be affected. People would be happy to stay in Singapore because there are economic opportunities and it is a great place to live, for them and their children.”

4. Minister Yaacob notes that this would be an inclusive and collaborative effort: “The Ministerial Committee will consult widely to tap the ideas of the public and the business community on sustainable development. There will also be efforts to harness expertise both locally and from overseas. This wide participation will help bring in diversity and richness of perspectives to our work, and contribute towards our vision of Singapore as an innovative hub for environmental sustainability.”

5. Inter-agency work is already underway, and the IMCSD will be convening in early February to deliberate on the workplan and key strategies for the year ahead.

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Last updated on 24 January 2008