Abstract

Against a backdrop of growing geopolitical uncertainty, economic fragmentation, and non-traditional security challenges, the Indo-Pacific has emerged as a critical region shaping global stability. This seminar brings together leading experts from Europe and Singapore to examine how the EU and Singapore can deepen cooperation to strengthen regional resilience—across security, economic, technological, and governance domains.

The discussion will explore shared strategic interests, complementary strengths, and practical pathways for collaboration, offering timely insights for policymakers, scholars, and practitioners engaged with the Indo-Pacific.

About the Speakers

Ms Lizza Bomassi joined the EUISS in October 2024 as the Research Analyst for the Indo-Pacific. Her research focuses on European foreign policy towards the Indo-Pacific with a particular interest in regional geopolitical developments. Lizza brings extensive experience from over a decade working at Carnegie Europe, where she held a senior role overseeing strategic initiatives across multiple areas and conducting research on Europe-Asia relations.

Roderick Kefferpütz is Director of the European Union office of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, with over 15 years of experience across think tanks and government on Europe’s role in a changing world order. Previously, he was a senior analyst at MERICS working on China’s influence in Europe and served in the State Ministry of Baden-Württemberg, advising the Minister-President on international affairs. He spent a decade in Brussels, including seven years as chief of staff to MEP Reinhard Bütikofer. He is a Senior Non-Resident Fellow at the Atlantic Council and began his career with research positions at the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung in Moscow, Warsaw and Brussels.

Mr Lawrence Anderson is Senior Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. He joined RSIS in November 2021 after a 37-year career in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). His areas of interest include regional security in the Asia-Pacific, ASEAN, Sino-US strategic competition, and conflicts including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Palestinian war. He was formerly Singapore’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Cambodia. He is a Senior Fellow at the MFA Diplomatic Academy. He is also Singapore’s Representative to the Advisory Board of the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (ASEAN-IPR). He is editor of the book “Beyond the Handshake: The Singapore Foreign Service”, a collection of essays by former Ambassadors and senior officials who served in the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Warren Fernandez is a Senior Fellow, Head of National Security Studies Programme, and Editor of RSIS Publications at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. He concurrently serves as Director of Industry Engagement at the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University (NTU). With over three decades of experience in the news, media, and communications sectors, Warren has held key leadership roles, including Editor-in-Chief of the English/Malay/Tamil Media Group at SPH Media and Editor of The Straits Times.

Dr Joel Ng is Senior Fellow and Head of the Centre for Multilateralism Studies (CMS). His research focuses on regionalism, integration, security, and intervention norms, focusing on ASEAN and its dialogue partners as well as the African Union. He began his career in international affairs working in Uganda on peace, conflict, and refugee issues. He has also worked in the private sector in Singapore in public and investor relations. He is presently in the Singapore committee for the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific (CSCAP).