PUBLISHED ONSeptember 02, 2026 4:45 AMBYSean Ler"Small states are stronger when we work together."
This, said Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, was the recurring message at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Dialogue on Tuesday (Sept 1).
He was in Koror, Palau, to attend the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, a key regional forum in the Pacific for cooperation among its members and engagement with external partners.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) had said in an earlier statement on Aug 30 that Singapore has been a dialogue partner since its admission in 2022.
Writing in a Facebook post at the conclusion of his visit, Dr Balakrishnan said that Singapore, as with countries in the Pacific, face common challenges such as climate change and sustainable development — amid an increasing complex world.
He added that the countries also share a strong belief in international law, effective multilateralism and strong regional institutions that give small states a greater voice and agency.
"Our partnership has always been built on practical cooperation," the foreign minister highlighted.
Dr Balakrishnan also announced that Singapore will continue to support the Pacific by extending the Singapore-Pacific Resilience and Knowledge Sharing (SPARKS) and "SIDS of Change" packages.
These packages help strengthen capacity-building and support the Pacific's resilience and development, he noted, adding that close to 10,000 Pacific officials have benefitted from the packages so far.
"As ASEAN Chair in 2027, Singapore looks forward to strengthening links between ASEAN and the Pacific, so that our regions can work even more closely together in an increasingly uncertain world," Dr Balakrishnan said.
During his visit, Dr Balakrishnan also held meetings with leaders from the Pacific, including Cook Islands PM Mark Brown, Fijian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Sakiasi Ditoka, and Naoero Minister for Women and Social Development Affairs Charmaine Scotty.
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