People relax next to a river at the Raffles Place financial district in Singapore on Dec 5, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

Themed “Accelerating Collective Climate Action”, the programs at the Singapore Pavilion at the United Nations climate summit this year not only showcased the city-state’s commitment to global climate goals, but also emphasised its vision to achieve net-zero by 2050.

Further, they highlighted innovative and collaborative solutions backed by a strong ecosystem of partners across the private and public sectors, international organizations, and governments.

The Singapore Pavilion was visited by foreign dignitaries, organizational and business leaders and key change-makers in the global climate ecosystem

On Dec 12, the Singapore Pavilion at the 28th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, or COP28, in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, concluded with a closing ceremony.

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The Pavilion attracted in-person visitors of more than 6,000, along with nearly 60,000 unique online visitors, during the 12 days since its opening.

The diverse range of programs — involving around 100 partner entities, and including panel discussions, workshops, fireside chats as well as “pitch days” — covered multifaceted climate issues and provided attendees with opportunities for knowledge exchange and partnership development.

Numerous noteworthy announcements, launches and memoranda of understanding (MOU) signings took place at the Pavilion, as well as key announcements demonstrating concrete action that Singapore is taking to support and accelerate the green transition in the region and beyond. 

These include the FAST-P (Financing Asia’s Transition Partnership), and Singapore-Asia Taxonomy and the Transition Credits Coalition (TRACTION). In addition, the city-state signed its first implementation agreement with Papua New Guinea on carbon credits cooperation under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

“I am heartened by the ‘bias to action' that we have witnessed here at the Pavilion. Many new climate initiatives and partnerships have been unveiled on this stage, by the Singapore government as well as our partners, Grace Fu, Singapore’s minister for sustainability and the environment, said at the closing ceremony.

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“Like Singapore itself, our Pavilion has been 'small, but mighty'. It is not about size, but impact. It is not about quantity, but quality. And it is not about making a once-off splash, but a sustained commitment with follow-through actions,” she said.

The Singapore Pavilion was visited by foreign dignitaries, organizational and business leaders and key change-makers in the global climate ecosystem, reflecting Singapore’s position as a trusted regional and international partner that convenes climate collaborators and solutions.

The Pavilion provided a space for people, private and public sectors from various countries and backgrounds to gather and work towards advancing climate action, and building a better and more sustainable future for all, officials noted.

Contact the writer at vivienxu@chinadailyapac.com