Criteria in Selection of Sponsors and Keynote Speakers at Annual Singapore International Energy Week
Ministry of Trade and IndustrySpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the selection criteria for sponsors and speakers at the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) and the impact of remarks by Aramco’s chief executive. MP Ms He Ting Ru inquired about speech vetting and how contradictory views on energy transition affect Singapore’s reputation. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong stated that speakers are responsible for their own content to maintain an open platform for diverse perspectives. He explained that countries must navigate the energy trilemma of security, affordability, and sustainability according to their own circumstances. Finally, he noted that specific sponsorship figures are not disclosed due to commercial confidentiality, though various international firms support the event.
Transcript
29 Ms He Ting Ru asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (a) how are sponsors and keynote speakers for the annual Singapore International Energy Week selected; (b) what is the amount paid by Aramco as the top sponsor of the event with a significant presence and a keynote speech; and (c) how will the views shared by the chief executive of Aramco during his keynote speech on 21 October 2024 affect the perception of Singapore's decarbonisation efforts, especially since his views run counter to Singapore's decarbonisation and energy transition goals.
30 Ms He Ting Ru asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry in respect of the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) organised by the Energy Market Authority (a) what is the Ministry's assessment of the remarks by the chief executive of the key event sponsor, Aramco, in his keynote address; and (b) whether the organiser vets the headline speeches for factual errors and to ensure they espouse values compatible with Singapore given the impact of SIEW on Singapore's international reputation.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: Every year, a wide range of public and private sector leaders from around the world share their perspectives on the global energy transition at the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW). The speakers are invited to focus their remarks on the SIEW theme for the year and are responsible for the content of their speeches. The organiser does not vet their speeches.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution to the energy transition. Each country would have to chart its own path to navigate the energy trilemma of security, affordability and sustainability, based on its unique circumstances. To remain credible, SIEW must remain an open platform for participants to share these different perspectives.
This year’s SIEW was supported by several companies, including Aramco, Siemens Energy, EDP Renewables, ExxonMobil, Sembcorp, DBS Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) and Google. We are unable to disclose further details of SIEW’s sponsorship arrangements due to commercial confidentiality.