Lee Hsien Loong urges Singapore to continuously adapt to a shifting global landscape
Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong told a lecture at Nazarbayev University that Singapore must keep reinventing itself as the world becomes more uncertain.
During a ceremony at Nazarbayev University, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong emphasized that Singapore’s development has never followed a straight line and that continual reinvention is essential in today’s volatile environment. He contrasted Singapore’s path with Kazakhstan’s, noting that both must build adaptable institutions grounded in strong state capacity, market discipline, and inclusive policies. Lee identified five focus points: maintaining outward-looking trade ties, supporting multilateral cooperation, combining market forces with an activist government, repeatedly reshaping the economy through AI and sectoral investment, and preserving societal unity.
He referenced the Economic Strategies Review, begun in August 2025, whose May recommendations aim to keep the city-state competitive and shock-proof. The lecture also recalled historic policy shifts since the 1950s and highlighted ongoing academic links between Singapore and Kazakhstan.
Why it matters
The speech outlines Singapore’s strategy to stay competitive and resilient amid rising global tensions and trade disruptions.
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