Back in 2018, Singapore made history by hosting the iconic meeting between US President Donald Trump and the leader of North Korea Kim Jong-Un.
And in 2021, Singapore’s going to, once again, make history.
This time, by hosting the world’s first event after Covid-19 to address the economic state of the world.
Here’s what you need to know about the event that’ll be held in Singapore physically, and why it is so significant to our little red dot.
Everything About the World Economic Forum That’ll Be Held in S’pore Physically
On 8 Dec 2020, it was reported that the World Economic Forum (WEF) will be held in Singapore physically in May 2021.
This will be the second time the annual forum is held anywhere else other than Switzerland and the first in Asia.
Here’s why it’s such a big thing.
Vouching For S’pore’s Covid-19 Measures
WEF revealed that the reason why they’re moving away from the traditional location of the forum is due to the Covid-19 pandemic situation both in Europe and around the world.
In layman’s terms, they don’t think Europe is safe enough in terms of Covid-19, and after surveying the world’s situation, probably settled on a place which they feel manages the situation the best.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry seems to think so too, with them commenting that the move shows that the WEF has confidence in Singapore’s management of the pandemic.
Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing echoed the sentiments in a Facebook post uploaded last night and added that Singapore is appreciative of the trust placed in Singapore.
Previously, Singapore has expressed its goal to help the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector recover.
The latest reveal by WEF, MTI says, will provide a great boost for the sector.
Of course, it doesn’t hurt that said powerful figures could be potential investors as well who might just be happy with what they see while they’re in Singapore.
Details
Typically, the forum draws around 3,000 top political, business and academic leaders from all over the world to discuss global issues.
Participants for the 2020 annual meeting include Sanna Marin, the prime minister of Finland, Ren Zhengfei (founder of Huawei technologies) and Kristalina Georgieva, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The meeting usually lasts up to five days and participants discuss various global issues across 500 sessions.
In 2021, the World Economic Forum in Singapore will take place from 13 May to 16 May 2021.
According to the WEF, the special annual meeting will be the place for notable figures to meet each other for the first time since Covid-19 started.
“The Special Annual Meeting 2021 will be a place for leaders from business, government and civil society to meet in person for the first time since the start of the global pandemic. Public-private cooperation is needed more than ever to rebuild trust and address the fault lines that emerged in 2020.” – World Economic Forum Statement
Other than it taking place in Asia for the first time, the forum will also have a virtual component, the first-ever for the forum, so that more people can join in on the session.
During the usual “Davos week” in January 2021, the forum will hold a virtual event. They’ll then continue with a summit in Japan in April 2021.
Keeping Locals & Visitors Safe
MTI also stresses that they’ll be putting in place protocols that’ll help keep both visitors to the meeting, as well as the local community, safe.
Previously, Singapore has managed to roll out new protocols at large-scale meetings and conferences successfully.
These include on-arrival tests, pre-event and periodic antigen testing. Contact-tracing is, of course, implemented as well.
This doesn’t just apply to the forum but across all international conferences.
Featured Image: Drop of Light / Shutterstock.com
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