Singapore and Sweden advance strategic technology cooperation and bilateral ties ahead of diplomatic relations anniversary.
Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam visited Sweden from 19 to 21 October 2026 to commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations and advance bilateral cooperation in research, innovation, trade, energy and trusted technologies. During the State Visit, President Tharman met Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and parliamentary leaders in Stockholm to discuss bilateral relations, regional developments and cooperation between ASEAN and the European Union.
Source: Clément Morin/Kungl. Hovstaterna Kungahuset
On 19 October, President Tharman received a ceremonial welcome at the Royal Palace from King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia. President Tharman and the King noted the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Sweden, highlighting mutual trust, regular high-level exchanges and cooperation in research and innovation, reciprocal investments and energy diversification.
The two leaders visited the Ericsson Image Studio, where they attended a roundtable discussion on emerging technologies and witnessed the signing of the Joint Declaration on Strategic Cooperation on Trusted and Innovative Technologies.
President Tharman also met Andreas Norlén, Speaker of the Swedish Riksdag, and other Members of Parliament. They exchanged views on developments in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region and agreed on the importance of Singapore and Sweden working together to uphold a rules-based multilateral system.
During his meeting with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, both leaders welcomed growing cooperation in traditional areas, including trade and defence technologies, as well as emerging fields such as energy, innovation and green technologies. They also discussed ways to deepen ASEAN-Sweden and ASEAN-EU cooperation, including developing rules to facilitate digital trade.
The discussions took place ahead of Singapore’s ASEAN Chairmanship and the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-EU relations in 2027.
On 18 October, President Tharman met Magdalena Andersson, Leader of the Social Democratic Party, to exchange views on regional and global issues. He also met other Swedish government and business leaders.
In the evening of 19 October, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia hosted a State Banquet in honour of President Tharman. On 20 October, he was scheduled to deliver a lecture at the Stockholm School of Economics and attend a lunch hosted by the Stockholm City Council.
The visit concluded on 21 October with President Tharman’s planned visit to Gothenburg, where Governor of Västra Götaland Sten Tolgfors was scheduled to host him for lunch.
Source: MFA
