The consultations reviewed bilateral cooperation and regional priorities, including renewable energy, sustainability and ASEAN collaboration.

Second Permanent Secretary (Development) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foo Chi Hsia, and Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), Anouparb Vongnorkeo, co-chaired the Second Singapore–Lao PDR Bilateral Consultations (SLBC) in Singapore on 21 July 2026.

Ahead of the consultations, deputy Minister Anouparb paid a courtesy call on Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs Ms Sim Ann. Both sides reaffirmed the warm bilateral relations between the two countries. Lao PDR President Thongloun Sisoulith also accepted President Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s invitation to make a State Visit to Singapore at a mutually convenient time.

The consultations covered cooperation in trade and investment, education, culture, healthcare, green energy, sustainability and efforts to combat transnational crime. Both sides also exchanged views on regional and global developments, reaffirmed their commitment to human capital development, and discussed strengthening cooperation within ASEAN, including in the digital and green economies ahead of Singapore’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2027.

Source: Singapore Embassy in Vientiane

The new High Commissioner of Malaysia and Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates formally presented their credentials to President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, marking the commencement of their diplomatic appointments in Singapore.

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam received the credentials of the newly appointed High Commissioner of Malaysia, Her Excellency Datin Paduka Anizan Siti Hajjar binti Adnin, and the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), His Excellency Dr Abdulnasser Jamal Hussain Mohammed Al Shaali, during separate credential presentation ceremonies held at the Istana on 21 July 2026. The ceremonies formally marked the commencement of their diplomatic missions in Singapore.

The Presentation of Credentials Ceremony is an official diplomatic protocol through which newly appointed Heads of Mission are formally accredited by the President of Singapore before assuming their responsibilities. Held at the Istana, the ceremony reflected Singapore’s continued commitment to maintaining strong diplomatic relations with partner countries.

The High Commissioner of Malaysia
Her Excellency Datin Paduka Anizan Siti Hajjar binti Adnin

Source: High Commission of Malaysia, Singapore

High Commissioner Anizan Siti Hajjar Adnin brought more than three decades of diplomatic experience to her new appointment in Singapore. Prior to her posting, she served as Deputy Secretary General of Management Services at Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Throughout her diplomatic career, she held appointments as Malaysia’s High Commissioner to Canada and Ambassador to Ireland, in addition to serving at Malaysia’s Permanent Missions to the United Nations in New York and Geneva.

She also led several key divisions within Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including the Southeast Asia Division, the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations, and the Human Rights and Humanities Division. High Commissioner Anizan holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations from Schiller International University in Paris and a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from California State University. She was conferred the Darjah Kebesaran Dato’ Paduka Mahkota Selangor Yang Amat Mulia (D.P.M.S.) in 2021, carrying the title Datin Paduka.

The Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates
His Excellency Dr Abdulnasser Jamal Hussain Mohammed Al Shaali

Ambassador Dr Abdulnasser Jamal Hussain Mohammed Al Shaali was appointed Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Singapore under Federal Decree No. 42 of 2026. Before assuming his current role, he served as the UAE’s Ambassador to India and non-resident Ambassador to Bhutan. Since joining the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2013, he has held several senior leadership positions, including Assistant Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs, Director of the Economic and Trade Affairs Department, and Director of the Policy Planning Department.

Source: Instagram/

Ambassador Dr Al Shaali holds a PhD in Economics from the Australian National University, a Master’s in Business Management from Paris Sorbonne University, a Master of Business Administration from Murdoch University, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the American University of Sharjah. In 2025, he was awarded the President’s First Class Order of Zayed II in recognition of his service.

The accreditation of the two Heads of Mission underscored Singapore’s longstanding diplomatic relations with both Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates. Their appointments are expected to further strengthen cooperation across areas of mutual interest, including political engagement, economic collaboration, regional cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges.

As the new Heads of Mission begin their diplomatic assignments in Singapore, both countries are expected to continue working closely with Singapore to deepen bilateral partnerships and advance shared priorities through regular diplomatic engagement.

Source: MFA Singapore

H.E. Ambassador Fernando Quirós Campos officially presented his Letters of Credence to H.E. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, reaffirming Peru’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Singapore.

Singapore, 19 May 2026 – H.E. Fernando Quirós Campos, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Peru to the Republic of Singapore, presented his Letters of Credence to H.E. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of the Republic of Singapore, during a formal ceremony held on the morning of 19 May.

The presentation of credentials officially accredited Ambassador Quirós as the representative of the Republic of Peru in Singapore and marked the beginning of his diplomatic mission in the city-state.

During the audience with President Tharman, Ambassador Quirós reaffirmed Peru’s commitment to further strengthening the longstanding and friendly relations between Peru and Singapore. He highlighted the shared values that unite both nations, including support for free trade, multilateralism, and respect for international law.

Ambassador Quirós also underscored the strong framework of agreements that support bilateral cooperation, including the Peru-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and the Pacific Alliance-Singapore Free Trade Agreement.

Emphasizing Peru’s growing economic potential, Ambassador Quirós described Peru as a strategic partner for food security and a priority destination for Singaporean investment in Latin America. He highlighted opportunities in logistics, industry, and technology, particularly through Peru’s new regime for Private Special Economic Zones, which is designed to attract foreign investment and promote economic development.

For his part, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam noted the increasing importance of economic and commercial ties between Singapore and Peru. He conveyed his best wishes and full support for the success of Ambassador Quirós’ diplomatic mission and expressed confidence in the continued growth of bilateral cooperation.

The ceremony reflects the strong friendship between Peru and Singapore and signals both countries’ commitment to expanding collaboration in trade, investment, innovation, and international cooperation.

Source & Photo Credit: Embassy of Peru in Singapore

Australia’s newly appointed High Commissioner to Singapore, Robyn Mudie, officially presented her credentials to President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on 19 May 2026, reaffirming the strong ties between the two countries.

On 19 May 2026, H.E. Robyn Mudie, the newly appointed Australian High Commissioner to Singapore, presented her credentials to Tharman Shanmugaratnam during an official ceremony in Singapore.

During the meeting, President Tharman and High Commissioner Robyn Mudie discussed the long-standing partnership between Singapore and Australia. Both nations continue to share common interests and perspectives, particularly in supporting a stable regional order where international rules are respected, trade flows freely, and conflicts are avoided.

The leaders also reflected on the strong strategic trust built over many decades between the two countries. These ties have been strengthened through growing cooperation in government, business, education, civil society, and family connections under the upgraded Singapore-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP 2.0).

High Commissioner Robyn Mudie said she feels privileged to serve in Singapore and looks forward to deepening her understanding of the country’s strengths and challenges. She also expressed commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation further, especially in support of Singapore’s ASEAN Chairmanship Year in 2027.

Source: Australian High Commission, Singapore

Four foreign Heads of Mission presented their credentials to Tharman Shanmugaratnam in separate ceremonies at the Istana on 24 February 2026.

The ceremony marked the official start of their diplomatic roles in Singapore.

Her Excellency Anna Kondor, Ambassador of Hungary, joined Hungary’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 2025 after more than 20 years of senior executive experience in strategic advisory and financial services. She previously founded a leading Hungarian strategic and business communications advisory firm and co-founded a fintech comparison and advisory platform.

Ambassador Kondor holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics with a specialisation in Finance, a Master of Business Administration, and completed her doctoral coursework at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics. She is married and has four children.

His Excellency Álvaro De La Riva Guzmán De Frutos, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain, has a diplomatic career spanning 36 years. He previously served as Spain’s Ambassador to Estonia from 2011 to 2014 and as Consul-General in Istanbul from 2019 to 2023. He has also held postings in Algeria, Tunisia, Colombia, Mexico, Vietnam, Greece and Russia, as well as various appointments in Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation.

Before joining the diplomatic service, Ambassador de la Riva worked in the media, including for The Washington Post, Paris-Match and The Sunday Times. He holds a degree in Political Science and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the London School of Economics.

His Excellency Ramil Abil oglu Rzayev, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan, previously served as Director of the Asia and Pacific Department in Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He is also concurrently Ambassador of Azerbaijan to ASEAN and Indonesia.

Ambassador Rzayev joined Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2000 and has served in diplomatic missions in Georgia, Kazakhstan, Russia and the United States. He was also Head of the State Protocol Department. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and a Master’s degree in International Law from Baku State University. He completed an advanced diplomatic course at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. He is married and has two children.

His Excellency Dr Faysal Ahmed Salad, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Somalia, holds a Doctor of Medicine degree from Huazhong University of Science and Technology Medical School and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Science from Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Before entering diplomatic service, Ambassador Faysal held senior executive roles in both the public and private sectors. He served as Chairman of Baraarug Corporation and as Chief Operations Officer of Hodan Global Money Services, overseeing international operations across several regions. He also worked as a Medical Director and practicing physician and has been involved in humanitarian and community development initiatives.

Ambassador Faysal is currently Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Somalia to Indonesia and Non-Resident Ambassador to Australia and Singapore. He is also Ambassador-designate to the Republic of Korea and Brunei Darussalam. His professional interests include geoeconomic development, international trade and investment, and strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the presentation of credentials formalises the ambassadors’ appointments and allows them to officially represent their countries in Singapore.

Source: MFA

SINGAPORE, 27 JANUARY 2025 – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore announced that the foreign Heads of Mission from Indonesia, Georgia and Côte d’Ivoire presented their credentials to Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam in separate ceremonies held at the Istana on 27 January 2026. The presentation of credentials formally marked the beginning of their tenures as ambassadors to Singapore.

His Excellency Hotmangaradja Pandjaitan 
The Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia

Image by Indonesia Embassy in Singapore

Ambassador Hotmangaradja Pandjaitan arrived in Singapore on 22 January 2026 to formally take up his appointment as Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Singapore. Before assuming this role, he served as Special Assistant to the Minister of Defence for Strategic Environment from 2019 to 2024.

This appointment represents his second ambassadorial assignment, following his posting as Indonesia’s Ambassador to the French Republic between 2014 and 2018. His distinguished public service career also includes his role as Secretary at the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs of Indonesia.

A retired Lieutenant General of the Indonesian Armed Forces, Ambassador Pandjaitan is a graduate of the Indonesian Armed Forces Academy (Special Forces Command), class of 1977, and held a number of senior military leadership positions during his career. He earned a Doctorate from Padjadjaran University in 2011 and is the father of two children.

His Excellency Tornike Nozadze
The Ambassador of Georgia

Before his appointment as Ambassador of Georgia to Singapore, Ambassador Tornike Nozadze served as Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of Georgia in Indonesia, with concurrent accreditation to ASEAN, the Philippines, Singapore, and Timor-Leste. Alongside his role in Singapore, he also holds concurrent accreditation as Ambassador of Georgia to Indonesia.

Ambassador Nozadze joined Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2017 as Director of the Strategic Communications Department, and later served as Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of Georgia in Finland from 2019 to 2023. Prior to his diplomatic career, he held positions as Adviser to the State Minister from 2014 to 2015 and Deputy Head of the European Integration Department from 2013 to 2014 at the Office of the State Minister of Georgia for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration. He also serves as an Associate Professor at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University.

He holds dual Master of Arts and Master of Science degrees in European Studies from the University of Twente in the Netherlands and Wilhelms-Universität Münster in Germany. Ambassador Nozadze earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Berkshire in the United Kingdom, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from the Georgian Technical University. Ambassador Nozadze is married and has two daughters.

His Excellency IPO Gbolié Désiré Wulfran
The Ambassador of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire

Ambassador IPO Gbolié Désiré Wulfran holds a Master’s degree in Private Economy from the Université Nationale d’Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire and obtained a postgraduate qualification with a major in Diplomacy from the National School of Administration in Abidjan in 1991.

From February 2006 to January 2010, he served as Deputy Director of Workforce Management and Scheduling within the Department of Human Resources in Abidjan. His diplomatic career includes appointments as Second Counsellor for Economic Affairs at the Embassy of Côte d’Ivoire to the People’s Republic of China from 1997 to 2005, First Counsellor at the Embassy of Côte d’Ivoire in Brussels from 2010 to 2014, and Minister Counsellor at the Embassy of Côte d’Ivoire to the Kingdom of Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and the European Union from 2014 to 2017.

Ambassador Wulfran subsequently served as Deputy Permanent Representative of Côte d’Ivoire to the United Nations between 2018 and 2024, before being appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire to Japan on 14 June 2024.

Born on 20 March 1964 in Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire, Ambassador Wulfran is married and has three children.

Source: MFA

SINGAPORE, 17 November 2025 – In separate ceremonies held at the Istana, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam formally accepted the credentials of four new Heads of Mission, signifying the strengthening of diplomatic relations between Singapore and their respective nations. The envoys included His Excellency Paul Thoppil, the High Commissioner of Canada; His Excellency Artis Bertulis, the Ambassador of the European Union; His Excellency Innocent Bagamba Muhizi, the High Commissioner of the Republic of Rwanda; and His Excellency Dr. Anjani Kumar Sinha, the Ambassador of the United States of America.

His Excellency Paul Thoppil
The High Commissioner of Canada

Prior to his appointment to Singapore, High Commissioner Thoppil had been serving as Canada’s first Indo-Pacific Trade Representative, based in Jakarta, Indonesia, since 5 September 2023. This position, an outcome of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, is focused on the enhancement of trade, investment and supply chain resiliency between Canada and the Indo-Pacific region. High Commissioner Thoppil will continue in this role on a concurrent basis in Singapore.

Previously, High Commissioner Thoppil was the Assistant Deputy Minister, Asia-Pacific, at Global Affairs Canada, who led the development of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy launched in November 2022. He received a 2021 Public Sector Award of Excellence for his contribution towards the release of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, two Canadian citizens arbitrarily detained in China. High Commissioner Thoppil has served abroad as Minister (Commercial) and Senior Trade Commissioner at the Embassy of Canada to Japan in Tokyo, advancing Canada’s trade, investment, and innovation links with Japan. He has an extensive public sector and private sector career, including as Senior Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Finance, Results and Delivery Officer at Indigenous Services Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, and positions at the Treasury Board Secretariat, the Department of Finance, the Canadian Commercial Corporation, and Price Waterhouse Coopers.

High Commissioner Thoppil is a Chartered Professional Accountant and graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours), with a specialisation in accounting, from the University of Ottawa. High Commissioner Thoppil is married to Naina Thoppil and has two sons studying at universities in Canada. Paul is an avid cross-country skier and runner. His family origins come from Kerala, India, where he spent his summers throughout his childhood years, and continues to return periodically to India to maintain his family and cultural ties.

His Excellency Artis Bertulis
The Ambassador of the European Union

Ambassador Bertulis is a career diplomat. Prior to his appointment as Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Singapore, Ambassador Bertulis was the EU Ambassador to Guinea-Bissau from 2022 to 2025.

Ambassador Bertulis has also served as Latvia’s Ambassador to Sweden (2001 to 2005); to Portugal and Brazil (2007 to 2011), Italy, Albania, Malta and San Marino (2013 to 2018), Permanent Representative to the Food and Agriculture Organization (2013 to 2018) and as Latvia’s Ambassador to India and Sri Lanka (2018 to 2022).

Ambassador Bertulis holds a Master’s degree in Physics and completed postgraduate studies in international affairs at the University of Latvia and the Royal College of Defence Studies in London. Ambassador Bertulis is married with two children.

His Excellency Innocent Bagamba Muhizi
The High Commissioner of the Republic of Rwanda

High Commissioner Innocent Bagamba Muhizi was Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA) from 2017 to 2025. At RISA, he spearheaded major initiatives to advance Rwanda’s digital transformation agenda focused on government service digitalisation, connectivity, digital literacy, and innovation ecosystem development.

High Commissioner Muhizi was Regional Chief Information Officer (CIO) for Access Holdings Bank from 2016 to 2017 and led digital transformation across their operations in Liberia, Rwanda, and Zambia. He was CIO and Head of Transactional Banking Services at I&M Bank Rwanda from 2008 to 2016 and helped launch Rwanda’s first e-tax services with the Rwanda Revenue Authority.

High Commissioner Muhizi holds a Master of Science in Information Technology from the University of Pretoria, South Africa, and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems and Business Management from La Roche University, United States of America. High Commissioner Muhizi is married with four children.

His Excellency Dr. Anjani Kumar Sinha
The Ambassador of the United States of America

Ambassador Dr. Sinha is a distinguished medical professional with decades of experience in orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine. Over the course of his career, he built and led specialised practices across eight locations in New York and served as a senior surgical consultant in Florida. His career reflects a deep commitment to advancing healthcare through collaboration with public and private sectors, as well as with medical, legal, and business operators across the healthcare industry.

In addition to his professional achievements, Ambassador Dr. Sinha is a dedicated philanthropist with a lifelong commitment to supporting communities in both the United States and India. Together with his wife, Dr. Kuntala Sinha, he has supported numerous institutions of higher education in New Hampshire, New York, and their medical school alma maters in India, leaving a lasting impact on generations of students and professionals.

Ambassador Dr. Sinha earned his medical degree from MGM Medical School and Delhi University in India, where he also completed a master’s degree in Orthopaedic Surgery. He has been married to Dr. Kuntala Sinha, a retired anaesthesiologist and former New York University faculty member, for 48 years. Together, they have a daughter, a son, and three grandchildren.

Source: MFA

Three new foreign Heads of Mission formally presented their credentials to President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the Istana, underscoring Singapore’s ongoing commitment to fostering strong diplomatic relations worldwide.

SINGAPORE, 30 September 2025 – In ceremonies held at the Istana, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam formally accepted the credentials of three new Heads of Mission, signifying the strengthening of diplomatic relations between Singapore and their respective nations. The envoys included Her Excellency Margarita Eliana Manjarrez Herrera, Ambassador of Colombia; His Excellency Dr. Sa’ed Radaideh, Ambassador of Jordan; and His Excellency Macocha Moshe Tembele, High Commissioner of Tanzania.

HER EXCELLENCY MARGARITA ELIANA MANJARREZ HERRERA
AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA TO SINGAPORE

Ambassador Margarita Eliana Manjarrez Herrera joined the diplomatic service of Colombia in 1991 and has held the diplomatic rank of an Ambassador since 2015. Prior to her appointment as Ambassador to Singapore, she served as Director of Regional Coordination and Integration Mechanisms at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia during which she represented Colombia before 12 regional mechanisms. She also previously served as Ambassador of Colombia to Israel from 2020 to 2024, as well as Director of Immigration, Consular Affairs and Citizen Services, and Consul of Colombia in Berlin, Germany.

Ambassador Manjarrez has been a professor and lecturer on topics related to international organisations, migration, human rights, consular law and practice, the United Nations system, the Inter-American System of Human Rights, the Pacific Alliance, international treaty law, and nationality at the Colombian universities of Rosario, Externado, Militar Nueva Granada, and San Martin, as well as at the Diplomatic Academy of Colombia. Her expertise is in multilateral affairs in the areas of human rights, international humanitarian law and migration affairs, international negotiations, international and regional organisations, consular law and practice, and the geopolitics of the Middle East.

Ambassador Manjarrez holds a Master’s degree in Analysis of Contemporary Political, Economic and International Problems from Externado University, Colombia, and a law degree from Andes University, Colombia.

HIS EXCELLENCY DR. SA’ED RADAIDEH
AMBASSADOR OF THE HASHEMITE KINGDOM OF JORDAN TO SINGAPORE

Ambassador Dr Radaideh is a career diplomat who most recently served as the Jordanian Ambassador to Sudan, with concurrent accreditation as non-resident Ambassador to Chad. He has also served diplomatic postings in the UAE, Belgium, the European Union, Switzerland, Bahrain, Tunisia and Palestine.  During the course of his career, Ambassador Dr Radaideh also played a pivotal role in establishing the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates’ Crisis Centre; and was involved in diplomatic training and strategic planning. 

Ambassador Dr Radaideh holds a PhD in “Good Governance”from the University of EI Manar in Tunisia, a Master’s degree in European Studies from the University of Brussels, a Diploma from the National Defense University in Washington DC, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Political Science from the University of Jordan.

Ambassador Dr Radaideh is married to Mrs. Abeer Shocair, a lawyer, and has two sons. He has published a book entitled “Governance in Arabic Perspective”, a poetry book entitled “Return of Elisar”, and has written in other academic and diplomatic-related publications. His personal interests include squash, and oil painting.

HIS EXCELLENCY MACOCHA MOSHE TEMBELE
HIGH COMMISSIONER OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA TO SINGAPORE

High Commissioner Macocha Moshe Tembele has been Tanzania’s Ambassador to Indonesia since May 2021. He joined the Tanzanian foreign service in 2008 and was Director of Multilateral Cooperation at the Tanzania Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation from 2020 to 2021. He was posted to Tanzania’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York from 2008 to 2014.

High Commissioner Tembele was Personal Assistant to former Tanzania President Benjamin Mkapa from 2014 to 2020, and Senior Advisor to the Second Burundi Peace Process in 2016, when President Mkapa facilitated the Inter-Burundi Peace Dialogue.

High Commissioner Tembele holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in Economics from the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; a Master of Arts in International Relations from London Metropolitan University, United Kingdom; a Postgraduate Diploma in the Management of Foreign Relations from Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim Centre for Foreign Relations, Tanzania; and a Master of Advanced Studies in Mediation in Peace Processes from the Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland.

High Commissioner Tembele is married and has four children.

Source: MFA

On 9 September 2025, four Foreign Heads of Mission presented their credentials to President Tharman Shanmugaratnam in separate ceremonies at the Istana, marking their official roles as Ambassadors to Singapore.

SINGAPORE, 9 September 2025 – In a reaffirmation of Singapore’s commitment to international diplomacy, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam received the credentials of four newly appointed foreign Heads of Mission in separate ceremonies at the Istana. The envoys included Her Excellency Dana Baschová, Ambassador of the Czech Republic; His Excellency Veikko Kala, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia; Her Excellency Severine Marie-Dominique de Potter de ten Broeck, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium; and His Excellency Sergey Pavlovich Ganzha, Ambassador of the Russian Federation.

HER EXCELLENCY DANA BASCHOVÁ
AMBASSADOR OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC TO SINGAPORE

Prior to her appointment as Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Singapore, Ambassador Dana Baschová served as Director of the Department of the Americas at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.  She has held several positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. These include Head of the Office of the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2006 to 2009, and Head of the North America Unit from 2020 to 2023. Ambassador Baschová’s previous diplomatic assignments include postings at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Tel Aviv, Israel, from 2010 to 2013 and as Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Vienna, Austria, from 2014 to 2017. 

Ambassador Baschová was a member of the NATO Summit Task Force in 2002, the Czech expert to the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad, Iraq, in 2003, and worked with the People in Need organisation from 2004 to 2005. Ambassador Baschová also served as Deputy Director of the Aspen Institute Central Europe from 2017 to 2020. Ambassador Baschová holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and History, and a Master’s degree in German and Austrian Studies from Charles University. She is married with one daughter.

 HIS EXCELLENCY VEIKKO KALA
AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF ESTONIA TO SINGAPORE

Prior to his appointment as Ambassador of Estonia to Singapore, Ambassador Veikko Kala was Estonia’s Ambassador to Israel from 2021 to 2025. 

Ambassador Kala, a career diplomat, has held several posts in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including at the Policy Planning Department and Arms Control Department.  He has also served in Vienna from 2009 to 2012 and in Moscow from 2014 to 2017, where he was Deputy Chief of the Mission. Ambassador Kala was the Foreign Policy Adviser to the Prime Minister from 2019 to 2021. 

Ambassador Kala is a graduate of the Department of Political Science at the University of Tartu, Estonia and has earned a Master’s degree. He is married with three children.

HER EXCELLENCY SÉVERINE MARIE-DOMINIQUE DE POTTER DE TEN BROECK
AMBASSADOR OF THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM TO SINGAPORE

Prior to her appointment as Ambassador of Belgium to Singapore, Ambassador Séverine de Potter de ten Broeck was the Head of the Belgian Diplomatic Office in Maputo, Mozambique, from 2021 to 2025.

Ambassador de Potter de ten Broeck joined the Belgian Federal Public Service (FPS) Foreign Affairs in 2011. She has served in postings in Tokyo from 2012 to 2016 and in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from 2016 to 2020. Within the Belgian FPS Foreign Affairs, she has also worked on international cyber policy. 

Prior to joining the FPS Foreign Affairs, Ambassador de Potter de ten Broeck was working on integration and migration issues with the Belgian federal equality body, Unia.  Ambassador de Potter de ten Broeck graduated from the Université Libre de Bruxelles and is married with one son.

HIS EXCELLENCY SERGEY PAVLOVICH GANZHA
AMBASSADOR OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION TO SINGAPORE

Prior to his appointment as Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Singapore, Ambassador Sergey Pavlovich Ganzha was the Deputy Director of the Special Communications Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation from 2023 to 2025.

Ambassador Ganzha, a career diplomat, has served in the diplomatic service since 1982. His previous diplomatic assignments include Consul General in Hamburg from 2005 to 2013, and Consul General in Munich from 2014 to 2023. He also served as Deputy Director of the Security Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2013 to 2014. 

Ambassador Ganzha graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the USSR in 1982 and from the Russian Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Russian Federation in 2000. He also holds a PhD in Economic Sciences.

Source: MFA

Singapore welcomes three new Heads of Mission, reaffirming its commitment to strong diplomatic relations and international cooperation.

Singapore, 29 July 2025 – In separate credential ceremonies held at the Istana, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam received the letters of credence from the newly appointed Heads of Mission representing the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, the Republic of El Salvador, and the Republic of Zimbabwe.

HER EXCELLENCY FERDOUSI SHAHRIAR
HIGH COMMISSIONER OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF BANGLADESH TO SINGAPORE

High Commissioner Ferdousi Shahriar is a career diplomat who joined the Bangladesh Foreign Service in January 1999. Prior to this, High Commissioner Shahriar served as Additional Foreign Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka. She was previously Director-General of the Ministry’s Myanmar Wing from 2023 to May 2025. Her earlier assignments include Director-General of the Americas Wing and Director in the Office of the Foreign Secretary.

High Commissioner Shahriar has also served in various overseas postings. These include Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington, D.C., Assistant High Commissioner in Manchester and Counsellor at the Embassy of Bangladesh in Rome. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Dhaka and a Master’s degree in Diplomacy and Trade from Monash University in Australia.

HIS EXCELLENCY JAIME JOSÉ LÓPEZ BADíA
AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF EL SALVADOR TO SINGAPORE

Ambassador Jaime José López Badía most recently served as El Salvador’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea (ROK), with concurrent accreditation to Malaysia and the Philippines. Ambassador López Badía’s diplomatic career began in 2005 and includes extensive responsibilities in consular affairs, bilateral cooperation, and trade promotion. He brings over 20 years of experience in public service, diplomacy, and Asian studies, having previously held senior postings in the ROK and Taiwan. 

Ambassador López Badía holds two Master’s degrees from leading Taiwanese institutions: an Executive Master’s in Asia-Pacific Political Studies from Tamkang University and an International MBA from National Chengchi University. He also holds a Bachelor’s in Economics and Business from the Superior School of Economics and Business in El Salvador, and has completed more than half a dozen specialised certifications in areas such as trade negotiations, regional integration, and investment promotion.

Throughout his career, Ambassador López Badía has played a pivotal role in negotiating economic agreements with Taiwan, the European Union, and the Caribbean Community. He has also represented El Salvador in multilateral trade forums including the World Trade Organization. Ambassador López Badía was born in San Salvador, El Salvador.

HIS EXCELLENCY MARTIN MAKURURU
AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE TO SINGAPORE

Ambassador Martin Makururu has been Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Indonesia since August 2024, with concurrent accreditation to Laos since July 2025. He was Director of Human Resources and Training in the Zimbabwe Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade from 2022 to 2024, and has been posted to Zimbabwe’s diplomatic missions in South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Namibia. During his career at the foreign ministry, he also held positions in the Protocol and Administration Departments, and on the Africa, America, Europe, and Pacific Desks.

Ambassador Makururu graduated from the University of Zimbabwe with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Economic History and obtained a Postgraduate Degree from the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators in London, United Kingdom.

Source: MFA