About Us

The Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA) provides insights and perspectives for policymakers, businesses and individuals in navigating issues facing the world. Our work serves as a bridge between these stakeholders, to nudge policy change through dialogue and collective action.

As a founding member of the ASEAN-ISIS (ASEAN Institutes of Strategic and International Studies) network since 1988, we engage in “Track II” diplomacy, fostering dialogue among stakeholders in our region and beyond.

We have been consistently ranked as one of the leading think tanks in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, in the Global Go-To Think Tank Index* by the University of Pennsylvania. Since 2017, we were ranked the No. 1 independent think tank in Asia. We were also recognised as one of the top 50 think tanks globally, excluding the United States of America. In 2019, we were recognised as the No. 1 think tank in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific (excluding India). In 2020, we were also recognised as one of the think tanks with the best policy and institutional response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our vision is to contribute to a region that is inclusive, peaceful and prosperous – an integrated, sustainable and globally competitive ASEAN and a Singapore that is an open, dynamic hub and responsive node. Our platforms include:

Events

We offer exclusive access to insights and analyses from global network of policymakers, business leaders, NGOs and academics. Our events foster dialogue and discourse between these stakeholders and help connect like-minded professionals.

Publications

Our independent research reports and papers offer unique ideas and policy recommendations on challenges facing the region.

We share our insights through commentaries in news publications such as The Business Times and The Straits Times, providing timely insights on current issues.

Expertise

We provide global boards with in-depth analysis of regional issues and opportunities, particularly in key ASEAN economies, offering diverse perspectives from our network of experts.

We have a professional secretariat that is guided by the voluntary efforts of our elected Council and Advisors, who are drawn from business and academic communities. We are funded by research grants, private donations, corporate sponsorship and membership subscriptions. The SIIA Endowment Fund is an Institution of Public Character (IPC) that qualifies to grant tax exemption for donations. From 2012, we have been housed in the International Involvement Hub, alongside other Singapore-based not-for- profit organisations that serve the regional and global communities.

We were founded in 1962 by a group of like-minded friends, who were interested in international affairs. Professor Tommy Koh, Singapore’s Ambassador-at-Large, was one of the founding members. As the Honorary Secretary of the Institute, he corresponded with the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House), to seek their guidance and advice.

The President of the SIIA was a Scottish colonial official, Mr G.G. Thomson, who was the Director of the Political Studies Centre, established to educate civil servants on the political trends and developments of the region and the political agenda of the government.

When Singapore became a sovereign country in 1965, the Kingdom of Cambodia, headed by Prince Norodom Sihanouk, was one of the first countries to recognise Singapore’s independence. A few months later, the government of Cambodia invited the government of Singapore to send a goodwill delegation to visit Cambodia.  As the newly established Ministry of Foreign Affairs was still finding its feet, the Singapore government turned to the SIIA to organise such a delegation.

Since then, we have been forging close partnerships between countries for growth and stability in the region, through research and dialogue.