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List of international prime ministerial trips made by Lawrence Wong

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This is a list of international prime ministerial trips made by Lawrence Wong, the 4th Prime Minister of Singapore.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who took the office of Prime Minister of Singapore on 15 May 2024, made his first prime ministerial trip to meet with his counter-part Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah on 11 June 2024 at Bandar Seri Begawan.[1] As of December 2024, Wong has made 7 international trips to 8 countries since becoming Prime Minister.

By convention, the Prime Minister of Singapore does not usually attend the UN General Assembly or the COP Summits and instead is represented by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Sustainability and the Environment respectively.

Singapore is not an official member of G20, however, it has been regularly invited to all G20 Summits from 2010, with the exception of the 2012 Summit.

Summary

[edit]

The number of visits per country where Prime Minister Wong traveled are:

2024

[edit]
# Country Locations Dates Details
1  Brunei Bandar Seri Begawan June 11 Introductory visit to Brunei as Prime Minister. Met separately with Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah and His Royal Highness Senior Minister Al-Muhtadee Billah together with Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah.[2]
 Malaysia Putrajaya June 12 Introductory visit to Malaysia as Prime Minister. Met with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, underscored their shared commitment to take Singapore and Malaysia mutually beneficial partnership forward, and noted the steady progress on win-win projects like the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link and the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone. Both Prime Minister Wong and Prime Minister Anwar looked forward to convening the 11th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat in Malaysia later this year. Prime Minister Wong also expressed Singapore's full support for Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship next year. Prime Minister Wong also met Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof where both sides discussed ways to expand cooperation in various domains like sustainable development, renewable energy, and people-to-people exchanges.[3]
2  Laos Vientiane 9-12 October Attended 44th & 45th ASEAN Summits, first as Singapore PM. Prime Minister Wong also attended the East Asia Summit and other related summits. Trip also considered as Introductory Visit to Laos. Prime Minister Wong held a bilateral meeting with and was hosted to dinner by Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone. A new Leadership and Governance Training Programme for senior Lao officials was announced during the dinner along with Scoot’s increase of flights from Singapore to Vientiane from December 2024. Prime Minister Wong also called on Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith. Prime Minister Wong also held bilateral meetings with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Chinese Premier Li Qiang on the sidelines.[4]
3  Indonesia Jakarta 20 October Attended Prabowo Subianto's inauguration as President of Indonesia, offered personal congratulations to Prabowo. The visit reaffirmed importance of Singapore-Indonesia relationship and commitment to further substantive strengthen bilateral ties including in key priority areas discussed at the Singapore-Indonesia Leaders’ Retreat in April 2024. [5][6]
4  Samoa Apia 23-26 October PM Wong led the Singapore delegation to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, Samoa. This was his first CHOGM in his capacity as Prime Minister. PM Wong and other leaders reviwed developments in the Commonwealth and discussed salient global issues, including climate change and building resilient economies. PM Wong also held bilateral meetings with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the sidelines of CHOGM. PM Wong also attended a reception hosted by His Majesty King Charles for new Commonwealth Leaders. PM Wong was accompanied by Mrs Wong and Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan.[7][8]
5  Indonesia Jakarta 5-6 November Introductory Visit to Indonesia as Prime Minister. Prime Minister Wong met President Prabowo Subianto, Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Ahmad Muzani and Speaker of the Regional Representative Council (DPD) Sultan Bachtair Najamudin. The visit reaffirmed the close friendship between the two countries, as well as their shared commitment to building resilience amidst an uncertain geopolitical environment. Both leaders looked forward to convening the 8th Singapore-Indonesia Leaders’ Retreat in Singapore in 2025, which would be the first between both leaders. Both Wong and President Prabowo commended the significant progress in bilateral cooperation in the emerging priority area of the green economy. They also discussed ways to expand cooperation in other priority areas of human capital development, people-to-people exchanges and food security. During his meetings with Vice President Gibran and the Speakers, both sides acknowledged the excellent state of bilateral relations, and looked forward to strengthening mutually beneficial areas of bilateral cooperation.[9]
6  Peru Lima 14-16 November Led Singapore’s Delegation to the APEC Peru 2024 Summit, accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan and discussed on the global economic outlook, managing the challenges ahead - such as rising protectionism, supply chain disruption and climate change. Held bilateral meetings with Peru President Dina Boluarte, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Taiwan Representative Lin Hsin-i on the sidelines.
 Brazil Rio de Janeiro 17-20 November Led Singapore's delegation to the 2024 G20 Rio de Janeiro summit. Wong had a conversation with South African Cyril Ramaphosa,[10] met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and announced the upgrade of bilateral relations to a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" in 2025 and indicated looking forward to visiting Vietnam next year.[11] Wong met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, where both Scholz and Wong announced the upgrade of the Singapore-Germany relations to a Strategic Partnership in lieu of the 60th anniversary of Singapore-German relations in 2025.[12] Wong also met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the sidelines.[13] Wong also met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and thanked him for facilitating Singapore's aid to Gaze, spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed Al Nahyan as well as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Wong also made a telephone call with President-elect Donald Trump on the sidelines and congratulated him on his election victory.[14] Wong also joined other leaders such as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and several international leaders from the UN, WTO and WHO at the launch of a "Declaration on Digital Public Infrastructure, Artificial Intelligence and Data Governance".[15]
7  Thailand Bangkok 28 November Introductory visits to Thailand as Prime Minister. Met with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, discussed on possible areas of cooperation-digital economy, renewable energy, carbon credits and food security. Invited her to visit Singapore in 2025 as part of the 60th year of bilateral relations.[16] Met with His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana before returning.[17][18]

Future trips

[edit]
Country Locations Dates Details
 Malaysia Putrajaya TBC, 2025 Wong is expected to visit Malaysia in 2025 for the 11th Singapore-Malaysia Annual Leaders' Retreat, following his diagnosis with COVID-19 in December.[19]
 Vietnam Hanoi TBC, 2025 Expected to visit Vietnam in 2025 for his introductory visit to ASEAN Capitals. Trip was confirmed during his recent trip to Brazil for the G20.[20]
 Malaysia TBC TBC, 2025 Expected to visit Malaysia again in 2025 in April/May and October/November for the 46th and 47th ASEAN Summits respectively to be hosted by Malaysia.
 United Kingdom London TBC, 2025 Possible visit to the United Kingdom in 2025 to commemorate the 60th year of Singapore-United Kingdom relations, with a possible visit by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in return.[21]
 India New Delhi TBC, 2025 Possible visit to India in 2025 to commemorate 60 years of Singapore-India relations, as mentioned in his Press Conference on 8 November.
 South Africa Johannesburg 27-28 November 2025 Will lead Singapore’s delegation to South Africa in November 2025[22] for the G20 Summit.[23]
 South Korea Gyeongju November 2025 Expected to visit Gyeongju in South Korea in November 2025 as part of APEC Meeting following South Korea’s selection as host.[24]
 Australia Canberra TBC, 2026 Expected to visit Australia for the 11th Singapore-Australia Annual Leaders’ Meeting - following the 9th being held in Australia[25] and 10th to be in Singapore in 2025.
 Indonesia TBC TBC, 2026 Expected to visit Indonesia in 2026 for the 9th Singapore-Indonesia Annual Leaders’ Retreat - with the 8th taking place in Singapore in 2025.
 Philippines Manila TBC, 2026 Visit to Philippines for the 48th and 49th ASEAN Summits following Philippines takeover as ASEAN Chair.[26]
 Antigua and Barbuda Saint John’s TBC, 2026 Expected to lead Singapore’s delegation to the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.[27]
 United States TBC TBC, 2026 Expected to lead Singapore’s delegation to the 2026 G20 Summit - if invited.[28]
 China TBC TBC, 2026 Expected to lead Singapore’s delegation to the 2026 APEC Summit.[29]
 Vietnam TBC TBC, 2027 Expected to visit Vietnam in 2027 for APEC, following Vietnam’s selection as host.[30][31]
 Cambodia TBC TBC Part of his introductory visits to ASEAN Capitals, though the date is yet to be confirmed.
 Philippines TBC TBC Part of his introductory visits to ASEAN Capitals, though the date is yet to be confirmed.
 Australia Canberra TBC Part of his introductory visits, this time to the Oceania region, although the date has yet to be confirmed. Wong's predecessor Lee Hsien Loong also made an introductory visit to Australia in 2006.[32]
 New Zealand Wellington TBC Part of his introductory visits, this time to the Oceania region, although the date has yet to be confirmed. Wong's predecessor Lee Hsien Loong also made an introductory visit to New Zealand in 2006.[33]

Multilateral meetings

[edit]

Multilateral meetings of the following intergovernmental organizations that Singapore is a member of (or invited to) are scheduled to take place during Wong's term in office.

Group Year
2024 2025 2026 2027
APEC 14-16 November
Peru Lima
TBC
South Korea Gyeongju
TBC
China
TBC
Vietnam
ASEAN 9 October
Laos Vientiane
TBC
Malaysia
TBC
Philippines
TBC
Singapore
East Asia Summit 11 October
Laos Vientiane
TBC
Malaysia
TBC
Philippines
TBC
Singapore
G20 November 17-20
Brazil Rio de Janeiro
November 27-28
South Africa Johannesburg
TBC
United States
CHOGM 23-26 October
Samoa Apia
None TBC
Antigua and Barbuda Saint John’s
None
UNCCC 11–22 November [a]
Azerbaijan Baku
10—21 November[a]
Brazil Belém
UNGA 19 - 28 September[b]
United States New York City
TBC [b]
United States New York City
Others Ukraine peace summit
June 15–16[c]
Switzerland Nidwalden
██ = Did not attend; ██ = Future event
^a Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu is attending in Prime Minister Wong's place.
^b Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan attended in Prime Minister Wong's place.
^c Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sim Ann attended the summit as Special Envoy of the Prime Minister

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "PM Wong to visit Brunei, Malaysia in first overseas trip since taking office".
  2. ^ "PMO | PM Lawrence Wong at the Official Lunch Hosted by His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei (Jun 2024)". 24 June 2024.
  3. ^ "Introductory Visit of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to Malaysia, 12 June 2024".
  4. ^ "PMO | PM Lawrence Wong at the Official Dinner Hosted by Lao PDR PM Sonexay Siphandone (Oct 2024)". 12 October 2024.
  5. ^ "PM Wong to visit Indonesia for Prabowo's presidential inauguration". CNA. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  6. ^ "Instagram".
  7. ^ "PMO | PM Lawrence Wong to visit Apia, Samoa (Oct 2024)". 23 October 2024.
  8. ^ "PM Wong to visit Samoa for Commonwealth summit".
  9. ^ "PM Lawrence Wong to visit Jakarta, Indonesia (Nov 2024)".
  10. ^ "Instagram".
  11. ^ "World must not abandon multilateralism amid rising nationalism, says PM Wong at G20 meet". YouTube. 20 November 2024.
  12. ^ "Joint Declaration on the Singapore- Germany Strategic Partnership, 18 November 2024".
  13. ^ "Instagram".
  14. ^ "Instagram".
  15. ^ https://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/38551/Declaration_on_Digital_Public_Infrastructure_AI_and_Data_for_Governance__Joint_Communiqu233_by_the_G20_Troika_India_Brazil_and_South_Africa_endorsed_b
  16. ^ https://x.com/LawrenceWongST/status/1862031084843933941?t=CwGOp0cUVwQgyP5YW7QW2w&s=19
  17. ^ "PM Wong to have royal audience, meet Thai counterpart Paetongtarn on introductory visit to Bangkok".
  18. ^ "Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore made an official visit to Thailand".
  19. ^ https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/lawrence-wong-covid-19-positive-self-isolating-4784281
  20. ^ https://www.straitstimes.com/world/pm-wong-meets-leaders-from-egypt-vietnam-at-g-20
  21. ^ https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/global/diplomats-wish-singapore-uk-be-closest-tech-partners
  22. ^ https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/national/2024-09-11-lamola-says-hosting-g20-summit-in-2025-to-cost-sa-nearly-r700m/
  23. ^ "Singapore invited as Guest Country by the 2025 South African G20 Presidency".
  24. ^ "Gyeongju picked as host city for 2025 APEC summit in Korea". 27 June 2024.
  25. ^ "PMO | PM Lee Hsien Loong to visit Melbourne, Australia (4 - 6 Mar 2024)". 3 March 2024.
  26. ^ "ASEAN to set up troika mechanism of group's rotating chairs to handle Myanmar crisis".
  27. ^ "Antigua and Barbuda to Host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2026". 26 October 2024.
  28. ^ "FACT SHEET: Delivering an Ambitious Agenda for the G20". 9 September 2023.
  29. ^ "Xi says China to host Apec Economic Leaders' Meeting in 2026". 17 November 2024.
  30. ^ https://www.dfat.gov.au/trade/organisations/apec/asia-pacific-economic-cooperation-apec
  31. ^ https://theinvestor.vn/vietnam-to-host-its-third-apec-summit-in-2027-d7455.html
  32. ^ https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/2006061201.htm
  33. ^ https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/2006061201.htm