Tommy Koh Serving Singapore And The World

This book aims to celebrate the many contributions of Professor Tommy Koh as a Singaporean diplomat, public intellectual and social changemaker. It is an account of the ideas and ideals of an extraordinary Singaporean public servant who was not only born with the talent and ability to traverse many areas of society, but one who, when given the opportunity, had the drive and ambition to make the most of it to create a better world for Singaporeans and the global community. Experts in the various fields of endeavour and people who have worked with him examine his significant contributions in essays that are organised in four main sections: Diplomacy and International Relations; Arts, Culture and Heritage; Progressive Society; International Law; and a fifth section that features tributes contributed by his colleagues and former classmates. Set in the context of Singapore — a nation known for its socio-economic progress, its ability to punch above its own weight in international relations, as well as its increasing appreciation for heritage, the arts, and sustainable development — this book illustrates the power of the individual and sense of agency that can create the systems and structures to achieve all those things. The story of Professor Tommy Koh as captured in this book should energise other change agents to go out and create the progressive, inclusive and sustainable world they want. An inspirational collection for general readers, this book reflects the spirit of Singapore's pioneer generation whose determination and tenacity turned the nation into the modern-day miracle that Singapore is today. Contents: Diplomacy and International Relations: Diplomacy, International Relations and Singapore's Foreign Policy (Yeo Lay Hwee)A Professor and His International Stage (Ong Keng Yong)The Master Multilateral Diplomat: The Seven Pillars of Tommy Koh's Wisdom (Kishore Mahbubani)Tommy Koh: The Master Distiller and His Legacy as a Negotiator (Daren Tang)Singapore's Envoy to the United States (1984–1990) (Chan Heng Chee)Engaging China and the China-Singapore Forum (Lye Liang Fook)Keeping the Kizuna Strong (Chang Li Lin)Professor Tommy Koh's Contributions to APEC (Manu Bhaskaran)Regional Integration for Peace, Prosperity and People: Tommy Koh and Europe (Yeo Lay Hwee)A Founding Vision to Connect the Peoples of Asia and Europe (Peggy Kek)Expertise, Personality, Persistence: Different Diplomatic Tracks and Tommy Koh (Simon SC Tay)The Arts, Culture and Heritage: Tommy Koh and the Ideal of a Well-Lived Life (Kwok Kian-Woon)Tommy Koh and the Arts (Khor Kok Wah)Tommy Koh on the Censorship Review Committee 1991–1992 (Koh Buck Song)A Heart for the Written Word (Paul Tan)Tommy Koh: A Faithful Friend to Artists (Jeremy Monteiro)Tommy Koh: A Champion of Heritage and Museums (Kenson Kwok)Tommy Koh and "The Artist, The State and The Market" (Kwok Kian Chow)My "Historical" Encounters with Professor Tommy Koh (Tan Tai Yong)Best Chairman, Cultural Diplomat and Heritage Champion (Michael Koh)Tommy Koh: A Reader and a Gentleman (Elaine Ng)A Master Himself (Danny Yeo)Progressive Society: Progressive Society: Tommy Koh's Imprints (Gillian Koh)Against the Tide (Donald Low)Professor Tommy Koh and the Nature Society (Singapore) (1990–1995) (Wee Yeow Chin)Professor Tommy Koh's Green Legacy (Geh Min)The Art of Making In

Professor Tommy Koh is Singapore's Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rector of Tembusu College, Special Adviser of the Institute of Policy Studies, and Chairman of the Centre for International Law, National University of Singapore.In his distinguished career, Prof Koh has served as Singapore's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, as Ambassador to the United States of America, as President of the Third UN Conference on the Law of the Sea and Chairman of the Preparatory Committee and the Main Committee of the UN Conference on Environment and Development. He was the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Russia, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. He chaired two dispute panels for the WTO. He was also Singapore's Chief Negotiator for the US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. He was also the chairman of the group which drafted the Asean Charter. He chairs three committees for the National University of Singapore relating to law, Asia research and environmental management. An active patron of the arts, Prof Koh has served as Chairman of the National Heritage Board, National Arts Council and many other cultural groups.In recognition of his meritorious public service and achievements, he was conferred many honours, both locally and internationally. He has been named as ‘Champion of the Earth’ in 2006 by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). Prof Koh has been selected to receive Harvard's 2014 Great Negotiator Award sponsored by the Program on Negotiation based at Harvard Law School (an interuniversity consortium of Harvard, MIT, and Tufts) as well as Harvard's Program on the Future of Diplomacy.This collection of Prof Koh's favourite essays and lectures gives the reader an insight into his illustrious academic and diplomatic career. The volume also includes his articles on diplomacy and international law, art, culture, heritage, nature and environmental issues.

Professor Tommy Koh is Singapore's Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rector of Tembusu College, Special Adviser of the Institute of Policy Studies, and Chairman of the Centre for International Law, National University of Singapore. In his distinguished career, Prof Koh has served as Singapore's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, as Ambassador to the United States of America, as President of the Third UN Conference on the Law of the Sea and Chairman of the Preparatory Committee and the Main Committee of the UN Conference on Environment and Development. He was the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Russia, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. He chaired two dispute panels for the WTO. He was also Singapore's Chief Negotiator for the US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. He was also the chairman of the group which drafted the Asean Charter. He chairs three committees for the National University of Singapore relating to law, Asia research and environmental management. An active patron of the arts, Prof Koh has served as Chairman of the National Heritage Board, National Arts Council and many other cultural groups. In recognition of his meritorious public service and achievements, he was conferred many honours, both locally and internationally. He has been named as 'Champion of the Earth' in 2006 by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). Prof Koh has been selected to receive Harvard's 2014 Great Negotiator Award sponsored by the Program on Negotiation based at Harvard Law School (an interuniversity consortium of Harvard, MIT, and Tufts) as well as Harvard's Program on the Future of Diplomacy. This collection of Prof Koh's favourite essays and lectures gives the reader an insight into his illustrious academic and diplomatic career. The volume also includes his articles on diplomacy and international law, art, culture, heritage, nature and environmental issues.

In 2015, Singapore marks the 50th anniversary of its independence, and the United Nations (UN) the 70th anniversary of its founding. This book celebrates 50 years of a mutually beneficial relationship between Singapore and the UN. In the early years of Singapore's independence, the UN system provided Singapore with many benefits which were helpful in Singapore's journey from the Third World to the First. As Singapore has made progress in its developmental journey, it is now able to give back to the international community through programmes such as the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP), under which officials from developing countries are offered training in areas which are beneficial to their countries. Singapore has actively contributed to improving global governance and strengthening institutions that are important to the management of global issues at the UN, IMF, World Bank, IMO, etc. The Singapore Government has also sent its soldiers and police officers to participate in UN's peace-keeping and peace-making operations. This volume brings together 45 essays by Singaporeans who have made or are making important contributions to the work of the UN system. The reader will be able to learn about the UN as seen through the eyes of Singaporeans who have served as Ambassadors to the United Nations in New York and Geneva, the World Trade Organization, or as professional staff in the various specialised agencies, programmes and funds that are part of the UN. We hope that the life stories and experiences shared by the essayists will remind readers that although Singapore is a very small country, we are a good global citizen and have tried to make this a better world. Contents:Foreword by PM Lee Hsien LoongMessage by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moonPreface by Tommy Koh, Li Lin Chang and Joanna KohStatement to the 20th Session of the General Assembly by S RajaratnamAddress to the UN 50th Anniversary Special Commemorative Meeting by Goh Chok TongUnited Nations (New York)United Nations (Geneva) · WTO · GATTUnited Nations Specialised AgenciesUnited Nations PeacekeepingUnited Nations Secretariat Readership: Statesmen, policy-makers, diplomats, scholars and anyone who may be interested in Singapore and the United Nations, and international relations. Keywords:United Nations;Singapore;GLobal Governance;UN System;Nation-Building;Small State

Asia's and Europe's discovery of each other dates back several hundred years and has undergone tremendous transformation. Their engagement was coloured by the history of colonialism, and interrupted by the heat of the Cold War. However, an important step to chart an equal partnership and deepen engagement was taken with the launch of the Asia-Europe Meeting in March 1996. The Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) appeared the following year as the most concrete manifestation of this newfound engagement and as an attempt to engage the civil societies of the two regions. Professor Tommy Koh, a distinguished and well-respected diplomat of our time, is Singapore's foremost “Americanist”, having spent about two decades in America, serving as Singapore's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Ambassador to the United States. When he turned “Europeanist” on being appointed the Executive Director of ASEF, many of his admirers were surprised, but they had no doubts that his diplomatic skills and international stature make him the ideal person to bridge the gap between Asia and Europe. This collection of essays and speeches by Professor Tommy Koh were delivered and written in his capacity as the Executive Director of ASEF. It contains his thoughts on the three pillars of Asia-Europe relations: politics, economics, and civil society. Readers will find in this book his assessment of some of the key trends shaping the emerging world order and some crucial events affecting the transformation of Asia and Europe. He points to synergies between the two continents but does not hesitate to note differences in outlook which have to be recognised and respected. This book is an interesting contribution to the growing literature on a new partnership in the making. Tommy Koh is a Professor of Law at the National University of Singapore (NUS). He is currently Singapore's Ambassador-at-Large and the Executive Director of the Asia-Europe Foundation. He has previously served as Dean of the Law Faculty of NUS, Ambassador to the United Nations, the United States, Canada and Mexico. He has chaired the Law of the Sea Conference and the Earth Summit. He has headed a Singapore think-tank, The Institute of Policy Studies, and served as the first Chairman of the National Arts Council. He has also served the UN as the Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Russia, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania, and the World Trade Organisation as the Chairman of two dispute panels. Contents:Asia and Europe in an Emerging New World OrderBuilding Bridges: Business Ties, Cultural Exchange and Intellectual DialogueCrisis and Change within Asia and Europe: Implications for Asia–Europe RelationsA New Asia and a New EuropeThe Bridge-Builder: The Asia–Europe Foundation Readership: General. Keywords:Asia;Europe;ASEM;ASEF;EU;Civil Society;Partnership;Cultural;International Relations;ASEAN