[Tee tiong huat]

Acting Transport Minister Siow announces global maritime and aviation training initiatives, new support scheme for small island nations. Programmes developed with UN transport agencies will focus on resilience, safety and sustainability; first SIDS course to launch in 2026.

Mon, Jul 14, 2025 - S'pore.
Singapore will develop specialised training programmes with U.N.’ transport agencies & launch a separate initiative for fellow small island states, as part of its broader push to strengthen global cooperation in aviation and maritime resilience. 

Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow with Juan Carlos Salazar, secretary-general, ICAO & Arsenio Dominguez, secretary-general, IMO, opening ceremony of the Global Aviation and Maritime. He announces global maritime and aviation training initiatives, new support scheme for small island nations. Programmes developed w/UN transport agencies will focus on resilience, safety sustainability; first SIDS course to launch in 2026

Announcements were made by Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow at the Global Aviation & Maritime Symposium on Monday (Jul 14), where he addressed over 500 delegates–including ministers, regulators & industry leaders from more than 80 countries and 90 organisations. 
Also in attendance at the symposium were chiefs of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Juan Carlos Salazar and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Arsenio Dominguez.

Held at Raffles City Convention Centre, the symposium marked first time the global aviation & maritime communities have convened under one roof. Noting S'pore’s longstanding support for the ICAO & the IMO, Siow said the Republic will build on this by co-developing new global training programmes with both bodies for officials & practitioners in the aviation and maritime sectors. “With the expertise & support of ICAO and IMO, these training programmes will better equip international aviation & maritime communities, to build stronger more resilient international transport system.
Siow says, who is also Senior Minister of State for Finance. 

Ministry of Transport (MOT) said the programme cover leadership and development, plus technical skills upgrading in areas like digital transformation, safety & security management and in accident investigation. It'll be developed over the course of 2026 with support from Civil Aviation Authority of S'pore (CAAS) & the Maritime and Port Authority of S'pore (MPA). He, Siow also announced new initiative tailored to needs of Small Island Developing States, like S'pore, first course'll launch in 2026 for officials from Caribbean Island States, w/future courses planned for Pacific Islands & later to others.

Programme'll be delivered in partnership with CAAS, the S'pore Aviation Academy, the MPA & the MPA Academy, will offer 1 to 2 courses a year, tailored to different levels, for eg: from senior leadership to technical & operational roles conducted, in person virtually or in-region countries.
Eligible for programme are members of Alliance of Small Island States, of which S'pore is a member. A limited number of fellowships will be offered each year, covering travel, accommodation, course fees and allowances. Alongside new initiatives, Siow also announced updates to Singapore’s longstanding partnerships with the UN transport bodies.

S'pore will extend the S'pore Developing Countries Training Programme another 3 years, providing 330 fellowships and 10 scholarships worth US$1.8 million. Since its launch in 2001. Programme trained more than 1,800 participants. Also
separately, S'pore will contribute a second tranche of US$3 million to the IMO’s Enhanced Technical Cooperation & Training Package, adding to an initial US$2 million committed for 2024 to 2025. The funds will support courses for seafarers in areas such as alternative fuels, digitalisation and marine casualty investigations.