Minister Ong Ye Kung and Professor Lily Kong having a wide-ranging conversation in the 2025 SICC AGM luncheon

At the Singapore International Chamber of Commerce (SICC) Annual General Meeting Luncheon held on 27 June 2025, SMU President Professor Lily Kong moderated a wide-ranging dialogue with the Guest-of-Honour, Mr Ong Ye Kung, Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health. Set against a backdrop of global uncertainty, demographic shifts, and growing socio-economic pressures, the conversation examined some of the most pressing issues shaping Singapore’s future—including workforce resilience, population ageing, geopolitical developments, and the national imperative for lifelong learning.

The luncheon brought together senior leaders from across government, business, and the non-profit sector. In her opening remarks, Professor Kong highlighted the timeliness of the dialogue, underscoring the need for societies to adapt and thrive amid an increasingly complex and rapidly changing global landscape.