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Dear fellow Belgians in Singapore,
As we approach the end of 2024, I would like to extend my heartfelt wishes to each and every one of you for the upcoming year.
We have had a remarkable year, highlighted by Belgium's presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first six months of the year, during which our country played a pivotal role in guiding the EU through significant decisions and fostering unity against headwinds.
In terms of our excellent bilateral relations with Singapore, I am pleased to report that the direct flight between Singapore and Belgium, relaunched in April 2024, has been a tremendous success. It has opened new avenues for collaboration in trade, investment, tourism, and cultural exchanges between our two nations. We look forward to building on this momentum in 2025, further strengthening our ties and fostering even greater collaboration, especially in the year of the 60th anniversary of Singapore.
Looking ahead to 2025, we anticipate another busy and exciting year.
As a civil servant and Belgian citizen, I am looking forward to the transition to a new federal government with a clear pathway to make Belgium shine on the world stage. The Belgian diplomats are bridge builders and can continue to contribute to peace and stability. On the economic level as well, they are ready to push the envelope of economic diplomacy further.
After the European elections of June 2024, we have seen a smooth transition at the helm of the European Union, with a new Commission and a Belgian Minister, Hadja Lahbib, taking the role of Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management, and Equality. It is a huge responsibility in today’s world where climate change incidents and disruptions, and man-made disasters are more frequent.
The global landscape continues to generate a fair amount of uncertainties and anxieties. Pessimism is certainly the easy way to approach the future. But we are poised to embrace new opportunities and challenges. One of the key areas of focus will be sustainability and innovation. With the increasing emergency of addressing climate change, Belgium will continue to punch above its weight in promoting green technologies and sustainable practices. Our active involvement in the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement highlights our commitment to protecting marine biodiversity, and we are hopeful that Brussels will be chosen to host the BBNJ Secretariat. It would be a significant way to further contribute to safeguard ocean resources while exploiting this common good in a responsible way.
By upholding the values of solidarity, inclusivity, and prosperity, we can confidently welcome the challenges and seize the opportunities that come our way and ensure that 2025 becomes an extraordinary year for all of us.
Warmest wishes to all of you for a wonderful 2025! And as always, “Unity makes us strong!”
Colette TAQUET
Ambassador of Belgium to Singapore