Session 3: 1700 – 1815

Jointly organised with World Cities Summit and Asia Infrastructure Forum, this In Conversation session had DPM deliver a keynote address. This was followed by his participation in a moderated dialogue. Focused on how Singapore can respond to the pandemic, climate crisis and other disruptions to emerge more sustainable and resilient, the dialogue was moderated by Ambassador Ong Keng Yong (S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Executive Deputy Chairman).

Memorable Quotes from Speakers

“Singapore is playing our part to advance the sustainability agenda ... the Singapore Green Plan 2030, a roadmap to guide Singapore’s sustainable future … comprises plans and concrete targets for many sectors. For water, we aim to enhance our water security while reducing our energy intake and carbon footprint."

“We have to shape the city in a way that we gradually use technology, but also the will of the citizens to participate … we have to move gradually towards this new world, and I give my city Rotterdam, from now, 25 years, to get to net zero.”

“In a Water Optimised World, water will be abundant not scarce, water will be accessible not elusive, water will be affordable but not undervalued, and water will be adaptable.”

“Being resilient means being hard to knock down and being able to recover quickly… Step 1 (is to) know what will kill you and then prepare as best as you can to avoid premature death. Step 2 is to always know what will keep you alive... what are the essentials that you will need to keep operations going, and then make sure you never run out.”

“While focused on the pandemic, utilities have managed to continue to innovate and deliver against global climate goals. By maintaining our focus on reuse and the circular economy, the water sector has an opportunity to be the global example for truly sustainable development.”

“Water is not somebody else’s issue. It is my issue, your issue, our issue altogether. At the end of the day, we have an extraordinary opportunity in front of us to solve the challenges.”

“What we don’t want are well-intended projects that are creating solutions where there are no problems. What we need is a granular understanding of problems and then cooperation and innovation, adaptation of technology to solve those problems.”

“My vision … would be to see resilient cities … led by governments and utilities, in partnerships with business (to) … ensure access to good quality and quantity of water on a sustainable basis, overcoming challenges of climate and other uncertainties, a waterwise world in which water is fully appreciated and respected.”

“Yes, we can achieve net zero if there is sufficient government and population support … By having a mindset that everything is a resource, you can introduce carbon neutrality … the technology exists, without any doubt whatsoever.”

“Financial incentives are often running the wrong way, and we have institutionalised systems which are continuing to encourage businesses and consumers to use carbon emissions solutions rather than carbon reducing solutions.”

“Climate change is already here … the hard part now, is how cities are going to up their game, working with industry to tackle climate change impact on water. Likewise, the industry also needs to step forward and help cities to enhance resilience.”