PUBLISHED ONSeptember 21, 2026 10:00 AMUPDATEDSeptember 22, 2026 9:28 AMBYSean LerMinister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan, who concluded a visit to Canada's Ottawa over the weekend, is heading straight to New York for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) from Sept 22 to 28.
Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a Monday (Sept 21) statement that Dr Balakrishnan will deliver Singapore's statement at the general debate of the UNGA on Sept 26.
While in New York, he will host several high-level events, including the Global Governance Group (3G) ministerial meeting and a reception for the Forum of Small States.
The 3G is an informal coalition of 30 small and medium-sized member countries of the UN, founded by Singapore in 2009.
Its members include the current UNGA president Dr Khalilur Rahman, the incumbent G20 president, and two previous G20 presidents.
The grouping acts as a bridge to ensure that major G20 economic and policy decisions take into account the perspectives of smaller nations regardless of their size or development status.
Dr Balakrishnan will also co-chair the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers' meeting with Bahraini Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Abdullatif Rashid Al Zayani and attend the ASEAN-Pacific alliance ministerial meeting.
According to MFA, the foreign affairs minister will represent Singapore at events including the alliance of small island states leaders' meeting, the high-level ministerial meeting of the global alliance for the implementation of the two-state solution, and the high-level meeting on the global development initiative.
He will also deliver a speech at the Asia Society, engage policymakers and academics on regional geopolitics and emerging issues.
Dr Balakrishnan is also expected to meet with his foreign counterparts as well as UN and US officials.
He will be accompanied by MFA officials for the trip.
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