Singapore, 15 September 2025 – Senator Loren Legarda successfully concluded her Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship (LKYEF) in Singapore, from 11 to 13 September 2025.

Senator Legarda has been conferred the distinction of 83rd Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellow, becoming the fifth Filipino to receive the honor since the Fellowship was established in 1991 in memory of Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew.

The LKYEF is a private, non-political, and non-profit organization that invites outstanding leaders from across the globe whose work advances national development and international goodwill. It provides a platform for dialogue, the sharing of expertise, and the strengthening of bilateral and regional cooperation. The Fellowship is overseen by a Board of Directors, chaired by Mr. Lee Tzu Yang, who hosted Senator Legarda at a dinner meeting.

As part of her Fellowship program, Senator Legarda undertook a series of high-level engagements, covering climate action, sustainable development, trade and industry, education, and cultural diplomacy.

Her official program included courtesy call and meetings with:

• Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong, where discussions focused on regional economic resilience, climate-smart trade policies, and the Philippines’ legislative initiatives on carbon credits and sustainable growth.
• Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu at the historic Tiong Bahru Market, where they exchanged insights on environmental conservation, water security, and upcoming Philippine legislation on the Blue Economy and Circular Economy.
• Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, which centered on climate diplomacy, ASEAN cooperation, and advancing regional sustainability goals.
• Senior Minister of State Low Yen Ling, focusing on cultural exchange, creative industries, and women empowerment as pillars of people-to-people diplomacy.

Beyond her ministerial meetings, Senator Legarda visited key institutions and sites including the Singapore City Gallery, Marina Barrage, MOE Heritage Centre, Republic Polytechnic’s Urban Agriculture Centre of Innovation, and Bird Paradise at Mandai Wildlife Reserve. These visits provided opportunities to explore best practices in urban resilience, water management, education, agri-innovation, and biodiversity conservation.

A highlight of Senator Legarda’s Fellowship is her public lecture titled, “Environmental Governance in the Philippines: Redefining Development and Sustainability in the Age of Climate Change”,  co-organized by the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute’s Philippine Studies Programme and Climate Change in Southeast Asia Programme. Senator Legarda underscored the urgency of climate action, resilience-building, and cultural preservation as essential components of sustainable development in the Philippines and the wider ASEAN region.

A four-term Senator and long-time champion of the environment, climate action, culture, and resilience, Senator Legarda’s participation in the Fellowship highlights the Philippines’ proactive role in advancing ASEAN’s agenda for a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future.

The Philippine Embassy in Singapore, expresses its appreciation to the Government of Singapore and the Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship for their warm hospitality and continued support in fostering meaningful bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and Singapore. (END)

Read social media release by Senator Loren Legarda on the following: 
1. ISEAS Lecture, 11 September
2. Visit to Singapore Gallery,11 September 
3. Meeting with Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship Chairman Lee Tzu Yang, 11 September 

4. Meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, 11 September

5. Meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, 12 September

6. Lunch hosted by Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu, 12 September
7. Visit to Marina Barrage, 12 September
8. Visit to Ministry of Education Heritage Centre, 12 September
9. Briefing by MTI on Carbon Credits, 12 September

10. Meeting with Senior Minister of State for Community Culture and Youth and Trade and Industry Low Yen Ling, 12 September
11.Visit to the Republic Polytechnic’s Center of Innovation, 13 September

12. Visit to Mandai Bird Paradise, 13 September