Singapore turns 60 — How will systemic transformation guide this new era? (Part 3 of 3)

This article is part of a three-piece series on Singapore SG60 special. You can find the previous piece here.

I. Introduction

After analysing the complex issues and recognising the long-standing advantages that contribute to Singapore's resilience, the last section of our analysis shifts to the most important requirement: systemic change. The journey towards SG100 and beyond involves more than incremental modifications; it necessitates a profound re-imagination of Singapore's economic and societal structures. This section explores how Singapore is working to create a truly sustainable economy by implementing profound structural changes and utilising the revolutionary potential of artificial intelligence, advanced robotics, and humanoid robotics to creatively address its impending demographic challenges—even venturing into uncharted territory like transhumanism.

It also looks at how these changes at home are inextricably related to its developing role as a responsible global citizen, especially in ASEAN, where its leadership is essential in balancing development demands with climate ambition.

II. Systemic changes for a sustainable economy: The green blueprint for growth

In addition to being an environmental endeavour, Singapore's shift to a sustainable economy is a comprehensive economic redevelopment plan with the goal of boosting resource security and establishing new value chains, businesses, and employment. The country's comprehensive plan for this structural change, which incorporates sustainability into every industry, is the Singapore Green Plan 2030.

1. Pillars of the Singapore Green Plan 2030 and economic impact: By 2030, the Green Plan establishes challenging national goals that are all intended to promote significant economic change:

• City in nature: Enhancing Singapore's natural areas and biodiversity is intended to make the city-state more livable and appealing to talent and businesses. This fuels the expansion of the green tourism and urban sustainability solutions sectors. Singapore plans to have 50% more nature parks and over 1,000 hectares of green area designated as nature parks or nature reserves (NParks) by 2030. Green building technologies and services are being promoted by the Green Mark system, a certification for environmentally friendly buildings that currently occupies more than 50% of Singapore's total gross floor area (GFA) with a target of 80% by 2030 (Building and Construction Authority, or BCA).
• Sustainable living: Focusses on adopting more sustainable lives, promoting recycling, and decreasing waste. The trash management, retail, and manufacturing industries are all directly impacted by this. According to the National Environment Agency (NEA), the residential recycling rate was 12% in 2023, while the overall recycling rate was 52%. By 2030, Singapore wants to divert 70% of its total garbage to recycling and cut down on the amount of waste transferred to Semakau Landfill by 30% (NEA). This opens up new markets by promoting innovation in waste-to-energy, recycling, and sustainable packaging technologies.
• Energy reset: Aims for the energy sector's deep decarbonisation. By 2030, Singapore wants to have at least 2 GWp (gigawatt-peak) of solar electricity installed, which is adequate to power about 350,000 households (EMA). Throughout all sectors, a 1% annual improvement in energy efficiency is the goal until 2030 (EMA). This encourages investment in smart grid technology, hydrogen and carbon capture research and development, and renewable energy generation, thereby promoting clean energy expertise.
• Green economy: Specifically recognises and supports green growing industries. Carbon trading (via Climate Impact X and AirCarbon Exchange), carbon credits, and carbon capture technologies are among the carbon services that Singapore is promoting as a central location. It is also growing its knowledge of modern agri-food technologies, green logistics, and sustainable finance. In order to meet 30% of Singapore's nutritional needs locally by 2030, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has set the "30 by 30" objective. This goal will spur innovation in food science and urban farming (such as vertical farms and aquaculture) and develop a thriving agri-food tech sector.
• Resilient future: Increases food security while focussing on constructing climate resilience against harsh weather and increasing sea levels. This calls for considerable investment in climate adaptation infrastructure (such as the "Long Island" project and coastal protection plans), preserving economic assets, and generating long-term jobs in engineering, building, and climate science.

2. Circular economy initiatives: Decoupling economic growth from resource consumption and generating new value from waste are key components of Singapore's transition to a circular economy.

• Zero waste masterplan: This all-encompassing plan aims to prolong the life of Semakau Landfill and reduce trash in general. By 2030, a 30% reduction in garbage going to landfills is the target (NEA).
• Tuas Nexus: The Tuas Nexus, a historic project that combines water reclamation and trash management, is a prime example of the circular economy. It will centralise and optimise resource recovery, processing 800,000 tonnes of food waste and 400,000 tonnes of plastic trash yearly, combined with wasted water, to produce electricity and reclaimed water. It is anticipated to start operations in 2025 (NEA, PUB). This initiative will increase the efficiency of energy generation and reclaim precious resources.
• Extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes: Mandatory EPR programs hold manufacturers accountable for the end-of-life management of their products, beginning with e-waste in 2021 and expanding to plastic packaging by 2025 (NEA). Higher recycling rates, the creation of new recycling companies, and sustainable product design are all encouraged by this.

3. Sustainable infrastructure: Singapore's infrastructure development is increasingly infused with sustainability.

• Greening buildings: Green building principles have been widely adopted thanks to the Green Mark program. To be certified Green Mark Platinum, new public buildings must meet certain requirements.
• Sustainable transport: In order to meet its goal of having all new car registrations be electric by 2030, Singapore plans to install 60,000 EV charging stations by that time (LTA, NEA). By 2030 (LTA), 8 out of 10 households will be within a 10-minute walk of an MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) station because to significant investments in public transport growth, which will lessen dependency on private vehicles. Active transportation is also encouraged by the LTA, which calls for the construction of 400 km of bike routes by 2030. In addition to lowering emissions, these programs improve urban living conditions and generate associated industries.

4. Green jobs and skills: The systemic shift towards a green economy is creating new job roles and demanding new skills. Singapore is proactively preparing its workforce.

• The goal of the SkillsFuture for Green Jobs initiative is to reskill and upskill workers in fields like as waste management, clean energy, sustainable tourism, and sustainable finance. To guarantee relevance, the Green Skills Committee offers guidance on curriculum development. Specialists in fields including urban farm management, carbon accounting, renewable energy engineering, and the circular economy are gaining new positions. In order to include green practices and technologies, job redesign initiatives are still underway in industries such as manufacturing, energy, and services.

III. Embracing transhumanism, AI, and robotization for societal resilience

Given Singapore's demographic challenges—especially its increasingly ageing population—a fundamental rethink of how labour is done, care is given, and societal demands are satisfied is required. AI, robotics, and even the cutting-edge idea of transhumanism are examples of advanced technology that provide previously unheard-of ways to redefine human productivity and potential.

1. Leveraging AI for productivity and workforce augmentation: With a reduced workforce, artificial intelligence is thought to be a key enabler for Singapore to stay competitive. It enables the creation of fresh insights in a variety of fields, the automation of repetitive operations, and the enhancement of human capacities.

• National AI strategy 2.0 (NAIS 2.0): With its 2023 launch, NAIS 2.0 seeks to integrate AI into all major industries, including manufacturing, finance, healthcare, and logistics. According to Smart Nation SG, the plan aims to double Singapore's pool of AI experts to 15,000 and generate 20,000 new AI-related jobs. By boosting productivity, AI is expected to boost Singapore's GDP by up to S$20 billion by 2030 (Smart Nation SG).
Sector-specific examples:
• Finance: Improved fraud detection, risk management, individualised financial advising services, and compliance process automation (MAS) are all made possible by AI.
• Healthcare: Personalised treatment plans, AI-powered diagnostic tools, and administrative automation (e.g., using AI for disease outbreak prediction and hospital resource management).
• Manufacturing: Robotic assembly, quality control, predictive maintenance, and optimised production lines to boost productivity in spite of labour shortages (e.g., A*STAR research on AI for industrial automation).
• Logistics: AI-powered supply chain efficiency through predictive analytics, warehouse automation, and delivery route optimisation (e.g., PSA's smart port efforts).

2. Robotics (humanoid & assistive) for manpower constraints and quality of life: Humanoid and assistive robots in particular are being used in robotics to improve the quality of life, notably for the elderly and crippled, and to alleviate labour shortages.

• Investment in robotics: To promote local capabilities in robotics design, development, and deployment, the National Robotics Programme (NRP) has spent S$450 million in research and development (R&D) to hasten the use of robots across many sectors (Gov.sg).
Public services and industry adoption:
• By the middle of 2027, humanoid robots will be used by Singapore's Home Team (police, civil defence) officers to perform repetitive, high-risk duties like patrol, security inspections, and incident handling. This dedication is demonstrated by a US$100 million investment in the Home Team Humanoid Robotics Centre (H2RC) (Techedt). The first humanoid robot for security operations has already been used by top security firm Certis.
• Changi Airport exemplifies how automation may improve efficiency in busy settings by using autonomous cleaning robots, robotic security systems, and autonomous cars for baggage handling.
• Robots in manufacturing enable businesses increase output despite labour constraints by doing precision jobs, assembly, and quality inspection.
• Assistive robotics for elder care: When it comes to using robotics for elder care, Singapore is a leader. In order to promote independent living, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) developed the Mobile Robotic Balance Assistant (MRBA), which helps the elderly move around, prevent falls, and aid in physiotherapy (Eurekalert). In order to encourage physical activity and rehabilitation among the patients of nursing homes, exercise robots are utilised. Seniors' quality of life is improved and the scarcity of healthcare personnel is directly addressed by these technologies, which allow "mature Singaporean workers to fully embrace robots and reap the benefits of working alongside them" (Morgan Stanley).

3. Systemic investigation: Rethinking transhumanism, AI, and robotisation: Singapore's proactive and pragmatic approach to incorporating cutting-edge technologies into daily life and work implicitly entails a systemic investigation into how these can radically redefine human capabilities and address demographic challenges, despite the term "transhumanism" frequently carrying futuristic or science-fiction connotations.

• Redefining labour and participation: The use of AI and robots is not just about replacing human labour; it's also about enabling new labour sources and fostering new kinds of human-AI collaboration. Mobility, dexterity, and cognitive abilities can be greatly improved by assistive technology such as sophisticated prostheses, exoskeletons, and even early-stage brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) (e.g., continuing NUS research on BCI for limb control and communication for impaired individuals). This changes the concept of "disability" into "differently abled," enhanced by technology, and enables those with severe disabilities to engage more fully in the workforce and society. Systemic research in Singapore must examine how these augmentations can increase the number of economically engaged people by utilising technology to get over cognitive or physical constraints.
• Ethical and societal implications: Public education, social discourse, and ethical frameworks must all be carefully considered in light of such significant technical changes. It's crucial to have conversations about issues like job displacement, fair access to augmenting technologies, the possibility of digital divisions, and what it means to be "human" in a society that is becoming more and more augmented. A model for responsible AI deployment worldwide, Singapore's open approach to AI governance, demonstrated by frameworks such as AI Verify (introduced in 2022), attempts to address concerns about explainability, safety, security, and fairness in AI systems (IMDA).

4. China as a parallel and learning opportunity: China's quick and extensive embrace of AI and robotics, partly due to its own impending demographic issues and strategic goals, provides Singapore with insightful information and educational possibilities.

• Scale of deployment: For more than ten years, China has been the biggest market for industrial robots worldwide. According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), more than half of all industrial robot installations worldwide were located in China in 2023. This extensive deployment is a strategic necessity to preserve industrial competitiveness and productivity, and it is a direct reaction to a declining working-age population and growing labour expenses.
• Strategic AI investments: With significant state-backed investments in AI research, development, and broad use across many industries, including manufacturing, smart cities, and healthcare, China's New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan (2017) seeks to establish AI leadership by 2030. It offers a wide range of potential and difficulties due to its broad use of AI in surveillance, urban management, and even eldercare.
• Lessons for Singapore: Although Singapore has a distinct political framework and operates on a much smaller scale, China's aggressive, top-down integration of robotics and AI throughout its economy provides insights into the magnitude of investment needed and the possibility for rapid technological transformation. China's achievements in implementing robots in manufacturing, logistics, and elder care can be used to Singapore's particular situation. Singapore must prioritise human-AI collaboration, generating high-value occupations that take advantage of technology breakthroughs while guaranteeing their ethical application and positive social effects.

IV. Singapore as a responsible global citizen: Leading by example and fostering cooperation

Singapore's future significance stems from both its essential function as a responsible and beneficial global actor as well as its strength at home. Its leadership is essential for promoting regional collaboration and tackling common issues like digital governance, financial integrity, and climate change, especially within ASEAN.

1. Climate leadership within ASEAN: Despite being a minor emitter, Singapore actively leads ASEAN and takes climate action seriously because it recognises the importance of regional cooperation. It skilfully assists ASEAN in balancing its lofty climate objectives with the various developmental requirements of its member nations.

• Shared climate ambition and sustainable finance: Singapore promotes a group strategy for addressing climate change. As explained in Part 2, the Singapore-Asia Taxonomy (SAT) is specifically intended to serve as a "benchmark for ASEAN countries," offering a transparent, empirically supported framework for sustainable financing that takes into account the many economic structures and developmental phases seen in the area. Without impeding vital development in economies dependent on fossil fuels, it helps direct funds towards important decarbonisation initiatives by establishing clear guidelines for "green" and "transition" activities. This is essential for creating a shared understanding of what sustainable investment in the region entails and for bridging the gap between the needs of developed and developing countries.
Regional cooperation mechanisms:
• ASEAN Power Grid (APG): An important supporter of the APG, which seeks to improve cross-border power interconnections and integrate regional electricity markets, is Singapore. In addition to providing its knowledge of grid management and energy trading, this enables Singapore to import low-carbon electricity from its neighbours. In order to meet its 6 GW import target, bilateral agreements have been made to import 1.2 GW of low-carbon power from Vietnam, 2 GW from Indonesia, and 1 GW from Cambodia by 2035 (EMA). These initiatives show a concrete route towards improved regional energy security and a common energy transition.
• Capacity building: Singapore provides developing nations, especially those in ASEAN and Africa, with its knowledge of urban planning, water management, port management, and, more recently, climate-related capacity building, through the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP). Since its founding (MFA), the SCP has trained more than 150,000 officials from more than 170 countries, promoting institutional improvement and human capital development that are essential for sustainable development and climate resilience. This covers instruction on subjects including disaster relief, climate change adaptation, and green technology.
• Advocacy: In regional (such as ASEAN Summits and ASEAN Ministerial Meetings on Environment) and international (such as UNFCCC COPs and Commonwealth meetings) fora, Singapore actively promotes more robust climate action and multilateral solutions, emphasising the need for international collaboration and equitable burden-sharing in the fight against climate change.

2. Combating illicit financial flows (IFFs): Singapore, as a global financial hub, plays a crucial role in combating illicit financial flows, upholding global financial integrity.

• Robust regulatory framework: As a long-time participant in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which sets international standards for AML/CFT, Singapore continuously complies with its strict guidelines. Financial institutions are under to stringent supervisory monitoring by MAS, which mandates thorough due diligence, reporting of suspicious transactions, and adherence to international sanctions regimes.
• Enforcement and international cooperation: Singapore exhibits excellent enforcement skills. Financial penalties totalling S$13.3 million were levied by MAS in 2023 for financial firms' violations of AML/CFT. Over S$2.8 billion in assets have been seized in recent years as a result of significant crackdowns on illegal financial syndicates, which involved close international collaboration with law enforcement organisations throughout the world (Singapore Police Force - SPF, MAS, November 2023). These steps demonstrate Singapore's dedication to preventing financial system abuse and supporting international initiatives to combat financial crime.

3. Human-centric digitalization and global trust: Singapore actively promotes a human-centric approach to digitalization, advocating for ethical AI governance and digital trust frameworks internationally.

• Ethical AI governance: In 2022, IMDA introduced Singapore's AI Verify framework, a groundbreaking effort to give businesses an open and verifiable method to evaluate their AI systems for accountability, safety, explainability, and fairness. This framework acts as a model for encouraging responsible AI development worldwide and contributes to the growth of public confidence in AI.
• Data privacy and digital trust: In addition to programs like the Data Protection Trustmark, the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) guarantees strict data privacy standards. In order to promote a safe and reliable digital environment for both consumers and enterprises, Singapore also actively creates frameworks for digital trust, including those pertaining to digital identities and cross-border data flows (for example, through its Digital Economy Agreements with other nations).
• Global advocacy: In order to create a global digital economy that is inclusive, secure, and reliable, Singapore promotes international standards on ethical AI governance, data interoperability, and cybersecurity through venues such as the UN, G20, and ASEAN digital forums.

4. Sharing development experience through the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP): Singapore's dedication to becoming a responsible global citizen is exemplified by the SCP. It methodically imparts to emerging nations Singapore's distinct development experience and knowledge, especially in fields where Singapore has made great strides.

Key areas of sharing:
• Urban planning and governance: Offering master planning services with an emphasis on sustainable urban development and effective public administration to cities in China, Vietnam, and other developing countries.
• Water management: Providing water utilities in Africa and Southeast Asia with training and technical support on integrated water cycle management, conservation techniques, and advanced water treatment.
• Port management and logistics: Utilising Singapore's experience as a major marine hub to offer training to port officials and logistics specialists from other nations.
• Smart city solutions: To assist other cities in utilising technology for increased efficiency and liveability, best practices in digital government services, e-payments infrastructure, and smart urban solutions are shared. This sharing strengthens Singapore's position as a positive and cooperative partner in global development by encouraging self-reliance and sustainable development in partner nations.

V. Overall conclusion and congratulatory message

As Singapore approaches its 60th anniversary of independence, the path to SG100 is unquestionably fraught with both enormous opportunities and difficult obstacles. The "Gathering Storm" of environmental demands, population changes, geopolitical tensions, and economic volatility necessitates a flexible and proactive response. However, Singapore is not just responding; it is actively using its "Enduring Strengths"—principled non-alignment, dynamism as a fintech and family office hub, solid governance, leadership in sustainable finance, and a highly qualified workforce—to turn weaknesses into strategic advantages.

Singapore's dedication to Systemic Transformation is fundamental to its resiliency in the future. This entails radically re-engineering its economy for sustainability using concepts from the circular economy and programs like the Green Plan 2030. It embraces the transformative potential of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) to creatively solve demographic restrictions, reimagine human potential, and guarantee productivity—even delving ethically and thoughtfully into new areas like transhumanism. Additionally, these significant changes at home are inextricably linked to its growing responsibilities as a global citizen, especially in ASEAN, where its leadership is essential in balancing developmental needs with shared climate ambition, maintaining global financial integrity, and advancing moral digital governance.

This SG60 commemoration is an opportunity to look back on an incredibly impressive journey of nation-building, one that is a monument to vision, solidarity, and an unwavering spirit of pragmatism. From a difficult start marked by a lack of resources and geopolitical vulnerabilities, Singapore has not only survived but has continuously exceeded expectations, establishing itself as a thriving, wealthy, and well-respected country on the international scene. The continuous festivities are a proud tribute to the generations of Singaporeans who have worked together to shape this island nation into what it is today via their perseverance, foresight, and unshakeable faith in a better future.

Without a question, the road to SG100 will bring with it a unique set of challenges, both unexpected and complicated. But if history is any indication, Singapore will be able to adapt, innovate, and continue to shine as a beacon of development, resilience, and inspiration in a world that is always changing thanks to its special combination of strategic agility, strong institutions, visionary leadership, and a resilient citizenry.

Happy 60th Anniversary, Singapore! May your journey to SG100 and beyond be marked by continued innovation, enduring prosperity, and even greater impact on the world stage, fulfilling your destiny as a truly exceptional global city-state.

illuminem Voices is a democratic space presenting the thoughts and opinions of leading Sustainability & Energy writers, their opinions do not necessarily represent those of illuminem.

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