Criteria in Selection of Sponsors and Keynote Speakers at Annual Singapore International Energy Week

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.

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.