Role on World Stage Not New to Vivian

The Straits Times

29 September 2015

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan’s new role as Singapore’s chief diplomat will not be entirely foreign to him, as he has played key roles in brokering environmental deals on the world stage.

The experience underlies his move to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Oct 1, he indicated in a Facebook post yesterday.

“I have learnt that so many of the most pressing and complex challenges of the future will require patient but purposeful negotiations and deep collaboration with multiple stakeholders,” said the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources. “In this spirit, I look forward to my next posting at the MFA and am very grateful to the Prime Minister for his confidence.”

Dr Balakrishnan, 54, succeeds Mr K. Shanmugam, who will be the new Home Affairs Minister .

… Analysts said the combination made good sense. “It’s a natural affinity… Home Affairs, which is largely about domestic security, and Law go hand in hand,” said Dr Alan Chong of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

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