
Roundtable Discussion
with Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore
Date: Wednesday, 29 July, 2026
Location: Winthrop Hall, The University of Western Australia
Event summary
We were pleased to welcome Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, for a roundtable discussion with diplomats, academics, and leaders from business, industry, and the education sector.
The conversation highlighted the strategic opportunities and challenges shaping the Australia–Singapore relationship and the wider Indo-Pacific – from geostrategic competition and AI to the digital and green economies. It reinforced the importance of investing in workforce capability, strengthening trusted partnerships, building resilient supply chains, and supporting an open, inclusive, and rules-based regional order.
As Australia and Singapore navigate an increasingly complex strategic environment, meaningful dialogue across government, industry, and academia is more important than ever. Bringing together diverse perspectives helps build the shared understanding and partnerships needed to respond to the challenges ahead.
Thank you to Dr Balakrishnan for sharing his insights and to everyone who joined us for a thoughtful and engaging discussion. We look forward to continuing these important conversations that strengthen Australia–Singapore ties and contribute to a more resilient and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

Guest Speaker

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan studied Medicine at the National University of Singapore (NUS) after being awarded the President’s Scholarship in 1980. He was elected President of the NUS Students’ Union from 1981 to 1983 and Chairman from 1984 to 1985.
After graduation, Dr Balakrishnan specialised in Ophthalmology. He was appointed Associate Professor of NUS and Deputy Director of Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) in 1997. In 1999, he became Medical Director of SNEC. He was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Singapore General Hospital in 2000.
Dr Balakrishnan has been a Member of Parliament since 2001.
Currently the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Balakrishnan previously served as the Minister-in-charge of the Smart Nation Initiative; Minister for the Environment and Water Resources; Minister for Community Develoment, Youth and Sports; Second Minister for Trade and Industry; Minister-in-charge of Entrepreneurship; Second Minister for Information, Communication and the Arts and Minister of State for National Development.
Venue
Winthrop Hall
The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley WA 6009
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