Oceans ‘inextricably tied’ to Singapore’s survival and well-being, says Vivian

Republic seeks to play constructive role in global efforts on ocean-related issues

- Audrey Tan

NICE, France — Singapore is a small island state, and the oceans and seas are "inextricably tied" to the nation's survival and well-being, said Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on June 13.

"That is why we have always sought to play a constructive role in global efforts on ocean-related issues," he said in an e-mailed statement to The Straits Times on the final day of the United Nations Ocean Conference. The event in Port Lympia in Nice, France, was held from June 9 to 13.

"The oceans enable maritime trade, food and energy security, and support livelihoods," said Dr Balakrishnan. "These are vital to Singapore as a country with trade about three times our GDP and one which depends on imports for our energy and food resources."

Maritime transport moves more than 80 per cent of goods traded worldwide. Other than being a source of seafood and recreation, the oceans also generate 50 per cent of the oxygen people need, absorb 25 per cent of all carbon dioxide emissions, and capture 90 per cent of the excess heat generated by these emissions.