12 Points from Singapore PM's Speech to Citizens: Building New Islands and a 100-Year Vision
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong attracted attention in his National Day Rally (NDR) 2026 speech delivered on Sunday. The NDR is an important annual address by the Singapore government to convey policy and the country’s development direction.
In his speech at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) Headquarters, Wong outlined various policies and long-term plans for Singapore in facing geopolitical changes, technological developments, family challenges, and infrastructure needs. Wong stressed that the world has entered a more unstable era and therefore Singapore must not close itself off, but must remain connected to the world while strengthening national resilience.
- Global Situation
Wong opened his speech by outlining the global situation, how world power is currently distributed and making everything change. Wong said the United States remains a major power, but China has developed into an equal competitor in various fields. India is also growing rapidly. On the other hand, Europe and middle-power countries are increasingly active.
“So, global power is now increasingly dispersed. Various centres of power are competing for influence, competing for markets, technology, resources, and increasingly competing to determine who sets the rules of the game,” he said.
Wong also touched on international trade. He said it is increasingly influenced by national security interests. “Trade is no longer as free as before. Trade is no longer just about economics. Trade is increasingly shaped by security considerations,” he explained, noting that governments in various countries are now increasingly using trade, technology and investment to achieve strategic goals.
He also mentioned the Middle East crisis threatening energy and food. Shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, he stressed, are an example of how regional conflicts can impact the entire world. “This has shown vulnerabilities in the supply of energy, food, and various other essential needs,” he said, stressing again how Singapore must learn not to be overly dependent on a single supplier.
- Risk of Major War Increasing
In discussing the global situation, Wong warned that regional conflicts could develop into much larger conflicts. According to him, the risk of miscalculation and escalation is higher when major powers confront each other. “No one wants another world war. But history reminds us that major wars rarely start because they were planned. Wars happen because events develop beyond control,” he explained.
But the threat is not only war. Wong also highlighted threats below the threshold of open war, such as cyber attacks, disinformation, foreign interference and economic pressure. “You may not see troops crossing borders. But the damage can be just as real,” he stressed, calling these “grey-zone tactics”.
- Singapore Will Not Close Itself Off
Although the world is increasingly divided, Wong stressed that Singapore will not choose to withdraw. According to Wong, trust is one of Singapore’s greatest assets. “When countries are increasingly divided, we will build more connections, not fewer,” he said. “We will reach out to more partners, make ourselves more relevant, and create more opportunities for Singaporeans,” he added.
- AI and Technology
Wong said AI development is progressing faster than expected. Technology is now moving from merely answering questions towards AI capable of carrying out tasks on behalf of humans. “We will harness the power of new technology, but do it in our own way,” he stressed.
He highlighted how AI can help Singapore’s economy. One example is with small businesses and healthcare. He stressed that AI can give small businesses capabilities that were previously only held by large companies. Wong gave the example of using AI to handle routine work such as marketing and operations. “AI can enable small businesses to think bigger, move faster, and achieve far more with fewer resources,” he added.
Singapore, he added, is using AI to create personalised exercise programmes for the public through the Healthier SG programme. AI is also used to help doctors detect cancer more accurately. “AI can help us live better lives directly,” said Wong. “AI can be an extra pair of highly trained eyes for our radiologists. It reduces their workload and can help detect cancer more quickly and accurately,” he said.
- Singapore Testing Autonomous Vehicles
On that occasion, Wong also announced that Singapore is testing autonomous vehicles (AV) in Punggol. Once the technology is proven, he stressed, usage will be expanded. However, he added, the government will do it gradually with safety as a priority. Wong also highlighted how two-thirds of Singapore’s taxi drivers are aged 60 or older. “Autonomous vehicles can help address labour constraints, meet growing transport needs, and keep services reliable,” he added, while noting the government will still help affected drivers transition to other jobs.
- Warning About AI Dangers
Wong did not only see AI opportunities. He warned that the technology could do things humans do not want. “When something goes wrong, the consequences can be very serious,” he stressed. He gave the example of testing AI agents.