Singapore to attend Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland, represented by Sim Ann
The peace summit will take place on Jun 15 and Jun 16
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue summit at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore on Jun 2, 2024. (Photo: AFP/NHAC NGUYEN)
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SINGAPORE: Singapore will participate in an upcoming Ukraine peace summit hosted by Switzerland, with Senior Minister of State Sim Ann representing the country.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Tuesday (Jun 4) that he appointed Ms Sim as his special envoy to attend the summit, adding that he had informed Swiss President Viola Amherd of his decision.Â
"President Amherd and I also reaffirmed the friendly relations between our countries and underlined the importance of working together to uphold the principles of the UN Charter," Mr Wong said on Facebook.
The peace summit will take place on Jun 15 and Jun 16.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously said that 106 countries and organisations had signed on for the summit, but noted it was disappointing that some world leaders had not yet offered their support.
Russia was trying to disrupt the peace efforts, he said at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore over the weekend.
He later told a news conference that he was not able to meet the Chinese delegation at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's top security conference, and was disappointed that Beijing would not attend the summit.
"China, unfortunately, is working hard today to prevent countries from coming to the peace summit," he told reporters. China has denied pressuring other countries not to attend the summit.Â
In a Facebook post on Tuesday night, Ms Sim thanked Mr Wong for her appointment as special envoy, adding that she is honoured to represent Singapore at the upcoming summit.
Zelenskyy's office said that countries and international organisations that have confirmed their participation include Ukraine's Western allies and countries from South America, Africa and the Middle East. Kyiv has sent invitations to about 160 capitals and organisations in total.
US Vice President Kamala Harris will represent Washington at the peace summit.
The Philippines will also participate in the summit but it is unclear if President Ferdinand Marcos would attend or if he would send an envoy.
