Singapore has benefited most from international diplomacy. It has participated in international humanitarian efforts by sending aid to countries affected by natural disasters like the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and Hurricane Katrina. Singapore has also collaborated internationally on anti-terrorism initiatives like hosting counter-terrorism conferences. Through its role in the UN, Singapore has gained international recognition and support for its economic and social development.
3. 1st Example: International humanitarian effort In December 2004, when tsunami hit Indonesia, the Singapore Armed Forces dispatched three Endurance class landing platform dock ships - RSS Endurance, Persistence and Endeavour off the coast of Meulaboh, one of the worst hit areas where all road access was cut off. Onboard these ships were medical and engineering teams and volunteers with NGOs. The ships were also loaded with medical supplies and heavy equipment to help clear roads and debris. Six Chinook helicopters and two Super Puma helicopters were also dispatched to Aceh and Phuket, Thailand. C130s were also dispatched to ferry relief supplies to tsunami-hit areas.
4. Continued… In September 2005, Singapore responded to the relief effort of Hurricane Katrina in the United States, by sending four CH-47 Chinook helicopters and forty-five RSAF personnel. In the aftermath of the 2005 Bali bombings, the Singapore Armed Forces sent a medical team, comprising of two doctors, two nurses, and two paramedics to Bali to help treat victims of the blasts at the Sanglah Hospital. (CNA) In October 2005, the Singapore Civil Defence Force dispatched a 44-member Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team to Pakistan to help in the relief and rescue operations following the 2005 Kashmir earthquake.
5. 2nd Example International effort on anti-terrorism During 15–17 August 2005, Singapore hosted a multi-national maritime interdiction exercise, codename Exercise Deep Sabre as part of the Proliferation Security Initiative to address the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Launched at Changi Naval Base and conducted in the South China Sea, the exercise involves some 2,000 personnel from 13 countries. Singapore hosted the Regional Special Forces Counter-Terrorism Conference from 21–25 November 2005. On 6 May 2004, then Prime Minister GohChok Tong delivered a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, D.C. titled "Beyond Madrid: Winning Against Terrorism", expressing Singapore's view on the global challenge against terrorism.
6. 3rd Example Role As part of its role in the United Nations, Singapore held a rotational seat on the UN Security Council from 2001-2002. It participated in UN peacekeeping/observer missions in Kuwait, Angola, Namibia, Cambodia, and East Timor. United Nations (UN) Law Of The Sea Conference : It played an important part in this conference which was held to decide on the territorial rights of a country over its waters. Professor Tommy Koh, Singapore’s former representative to the UN, was president of the third UN Conference on the Law of the Sea from 1980 to 982.
7. BENEFITS By being a member of UN, Singapore gain recognition as a sovereign state, was given help and advise from experts regarding its economic and social development as well as industrial planning and development develop friendly relations among nations
8. National Interests is a country's goals and ambitions whether economic, military, or cultural.
9. Compared to Regional Relations Regional relations is between countries in a region, but there are other countries in the world too which makes international relations a better choice. A region might not have the backing and support of bigger countries which can do more.
10. Compared to Bilateral Relations Bilateral relations is only between 2 countries and does not include the entire world which makes international relations a better choice and can involved everyone in the world and not just between 2 countries and it can make a bigger difference.
