Singapore becomes the 53rd member to join the Geneva Centre for Security Policy’s Foundation Council. The vote is a unanimous one, and a decision that both Foundation Council President, Ambassador Jean-David Levitte, and GCSP Director, Ambassador Christian Dussey, warmly welcome.

Singapore’s decision to join the Foundation of Council is largely credited to its long-standing diplomatic ties to the Centre. Following the evolution of the Centre over several years, successive Ambassadors of Singapore in Geneva often have been impressed by the GCSP’s operating model as well as its work and facilities. Singapore officials have participated in numerous courses and have been closely involved in some of the GCSP’s inaugural courses, including the “Enhancing Leadership for Women” course in 2016. Additionally, the GCSP organised its Crisis Management course in Singapore for the first time in 2019.

“Institutions like the GCSP have become an integral part of the international Geneva, contributing mindshare and expertise to the work of the multilateral system,” says Ambassador Umej Bhatia, Ambassador of Singapore in Geneva. “The GCSP is an excellent example of what can be achieved when like-minded states come together in a non-politicised setting for the benefit of the larger whole.” 

The GCSP celebrates its 25th Anniversary this year. The Foundation Council is the Centre’s governing body, and it holds meetings bi-annually. For the very first time, the meeting was organised virtually. Before Singapore’s entry, the last three member countries to join the GCSP Foundation Council were also from the same region: Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 2016; and Japan in 2017.