2021 S R Nathan Distinguished Lecture

The aim of the S R Nathan Distinguished Lecture is to provide greater awareness and understanding of the modern Middle East. This lecture provides a forum for statesmen, internationally prominent scholars and public intellectuals to express their views on key issues. The lecture series is named in honour of Singapore’s late former president, Mr S R Nathan, who encouraged a deeper understanding of the Middle East region in Singapore.

The 2021 S R Nathan Distinguished Lecture is organised by Middle East Institute (NUS), in collaboration with the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (Singapore).

His Excellency Omar Saif Ghobash (Assistant Minister for Cultural Affairs, United Arab Emirates) will look at the latest developments in the UAE’s foreign policy, in a changing global economy as well as the economic imperatives that it is addressing as a nation. The UAE implemented policies and initiatives to maximise its efforts and resources to gain internal growth and prosperity. It must be noted that the country has a growing young population and the government has geared up to provide the best possible infrastructure for them and the rest of the population to prosper. Youth empowerment plays a vital role in enabling the younger generation to shoulder responsibilities, innovate and contribute to the welfare of the UAE’s community. In June 2019, the UAE cabinet decided that it was mandatory to include young Emiratis in the boards of directors of government entities, institutions and companies. Following that, in February 2020, the government approved 33 young Emiratis as members of the boards of directors for key federal entities.

In today’s context, foreign policy is directly connected to a country’s internal affairs. Therefore, it is essential to explain the internal dynamics of the UAE society,  the nation’s politics and its economics. These components allow for a comprehensive understanding of the choices made by Emirati policymakers and trends of the UAE’s foreign policy. The lecture also aims to provide answers to questions about the practices of the Emirates’ foreign policy in the Middle East.

Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law will be giving an opening speech.

This public lecture was conducted online via Zoom on Wednesday, 27 October 2021.