Remarks by Minister Chan Chun Sing at the Launch of the Indonesia-NTU Singapore Institute of Research for Sustainability and Innovation (INSPIRASI) in Jakarta

Pak Nadiem Anwar Makarim, Minister for Education, Culture, Research, and Technology

Pak Andien Hadiyanto, President Director of LPDP

Professor Ho Teck Hua, NTU President

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

1. A very good day to all of you. Allow me to start by congratulating NTU and our Indonesian colleagues on the official launch of INSPIRASI.

2. Climate change is a real and existential threat. As countries with low lying coastal areas, Singapore and Indonesia are especially vulnerable to extreme weather and rising sea levels. The launch of INSPIRASI represents a timely and important milestone in our countries' bilateral cooperation on climate change mitigation and sustainability research.

3. I am confident that INSPIRASI will make important strides towards a sustainable future. As NTU and its Indonesian partners embark on this collaboration, allow me to share three reflections.

1. First, ambition is key to mitigating climate change, a problem that knows no borders and is larger than what any one nation can solve alone. To be truly effective, we must work together as neighbours to innovate and scale up our collective sustainability efforts.
   1. I am very pleased to see our universities come together to tap on one another's strengths. With over 60 faculty members and a flagship project expanding on the NTU Renewable Energy Integration Demonstrator, INSPIRASI has great potential to break new ground, and create new sustainable and cost-effective energy solutions in the region.
2. Second, we must accelerate the green transition within our economies to achieve our climate ambitions.
   1. I am heartened that INSPIRASI is committed to translating its research into real applications for industries as well as small & medium enterprises from Singapore and Indonesia. These partnerships can form the catalyst needed to speed up the green transition across all sectors in the region.
3. Finally, we must adopt a long-term view towards climate change mitigation and sustainable development. We need to act now, to respond effectively to climate change.
   1. It is my hope that the exchanges between students, industry professionals and academics at INSPIRASI will create a legacy, and inspire further collaborations within the region for many years to come.

Conclusion

4. With that, I wish NTU and our Indonesian colleagues every success in this new and meaningful collaboration.

5. Congratulations to all of you!