Around 1,200 leaders from business, policy and academia are expected to gather to discuss Singapore’s post-SG60 vision.

Singapore, In a milestone collaboration, the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) and the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) will co-host the IPS-SBF Conference titled “Global-City Singapore: SG60 and Beyond” on Tuesday, 29 July 2025, with pre-conference events from 22 to 25 July. The conference marks a key platform to shape the national discourse on Singapore’s global competitiveness beyond its 60th year of independence.

Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong will deliver the opening address, while Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong will headline the closing dialogue. The event is expected to see 1,200 senior stakeholders including policymakers, business leaders, and academics.

The conference will examine the fragmentation of the liberal multilateral order towards more mercantilist orientations in economic strategy, shifts in global value chains, and the mainstreaming of environmental sustainability, digitalisation and artificial intelligence, among other trends. Speakers will explore how Singapore can respond strategically to these forces to remain an agile, sustainable and inclusive economy.

Distinguished speakers include Dr Indermit Gill of the World Bank Group, Mr John Denton of the International Chamber of Commerce, Mr Bob Sternfels of McKinsey & Company, Ms Tan Su Shan of DBS Group, and Singapore’s Climate Ambassador Mr Ravi Menon. As well Dr Muhamad Chatib Basri will also share insights from the region.

Complementing the main event, the pre-conference programme will feature new research presentations, a special segment – the “Future-Ready Businesses Spotlight” where participants get to visit future-ready companies in Singapore and gain valuable insights. These activities are designed to showcase how Singapore businesses are innovating in response to emerging global challenges.

Supported by the Economic Development Board, Enterprise Singapore and the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the IPS-SBF Conference is poised to become a cornerstone event in envisioning Singapore’s future trajectory as a global city.

The full programme can be accessed here.

Source: SBF