Presentation of Credentials Ceremony Welcomes Distinguished Heads of Mission in Singapore, 25 July 2023

Foreign dignitaries from Israel, India, Turkmenistan, and Uganda present their credentials to President Halimah Yacob at the Istana in a formal ceremony on 25 July 2023

His Excellency Eliyahu Vered Hazan Ambassador to Singapore State of Israel

Ambassador Hazan, born in August 1977, holds a Bachelor and a Masters of Arts in History from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He also completed German Language Studies at the University of Vienna in 2004. Prior to his current role, Ambassador Hazan held key positions in the Likud Party, including Foreign Affairs Director and Vice Chairman of the International Democrat Union. Fluent in Hebrew and English, he recently joined Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and now serves as the Ambassador of Israel to Singapore. Ambassador Hazan is married to Gila Vered Hazan, and they have two children, aged two and four.

Photo Credit: Ministry of Communications and Information, Singapore

His Excellency Dr Shilpak Ambule High Commissioner to Singapore Republic of India

Before his diplomatic assignment in Singapore, High Commissioner Dr Shilpak Ambule served as Head of the East Asia Division in the Ministry of External Affairs of India. A medical graduate from Pune, he also holds a Master’s degree in Translation and Interpretation (Chinese-English) from MIIS, Monterey, California. Joining the Indian Foreign Service in 2002, he has had assignments in Beijing and Colombo, among others. High Commissioner Ambule is married and brings a wealth of experience to his role as the High Commissioner of the Republic of India to Singapore.

Photo Credit: Ministry of Communications and Information, Singapore

His Excellency Begench Durdyyev Ambassador to Singapore Turkmenistan

Ambassador Durdyyev, currently serving as the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Korea, now has concurrent accreditation as Ambassador to Singapore. A career diplomat, he held key positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, including Head of the Department of Middle East. Ambassador Durdyyev is fluent in Turkmen, Russian, English, and Farsi. Married with a son and a daughter, he brings a wealth of diplomatic experience to his new role as the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Singapore.

Photo Credit: Ministry of Communications and Information, Singapore

Her Excellency Joyce Kakuramatsi Kikafunda High Commissioner to Singapore Republic of Uganda

High Commissioner Joyce Kakuramatsi Kikafunda, previously serving as the High Commissioner of the Republic of Uganda to India, is now accredited to Singapore, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh. A distinguished academic and diplomat, she has served in various capacities globally. High Commissioner Kikafunda holds a Bachelor of Science, a Master of Science, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Agriculture, Food Science, and Nutrition. With a strong background in academia and international relations, she is poised to strengthen the diplomatic ties between Uganda and Singapore.