Singapore-US Strategic Dialogue on Biosecurity II

Agenda

November 11, 2014

Guests arrive

7:00-9:00 - Welcome Dinner (by invitation only)
Straits Kitchen, Grand Hyatt, 10 Scotts Road
Lecture Theatre, Student Wing
S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS)
Block S3.1, Level B3
50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798

November 12, 2014

8:00-8:15 - US Participants meet at Marriott Hotel lobby, to be transported to RSIS

9:00-9:30 - Participants arrive at RSIS, coffee/tea (Reception Area)

9:30-10:00 - Welcome and Introductions
Ambassador ONG Keng Yong
Executive Deputy Chairman, RSIS

Dr. Tom INGLESBY
Chief Executive Officer and Director, UPMC Center for Health Security

Dr. Gigi GRONVALL
Senior Associate, Principal Investigator, UPMC Center for Health Security

Keynote Address
Mr. Peter HO
Visiting Scholar, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
Adjunct Professor, RSIS
Senior Advisor, Centre for Strategic Futures
Former Head, Singapore Civil Service
Former Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, National Security and Intelligence Coordination, Special Duties and Defence

10:00-10:15 - Coffee Break

10:15-11:15 - Session 1: Biosecurity Through the Lens of Homeland Security
Exploration of how biosecurity preparedness has enhanced homeland security in Singapore and the US, from upstream monitoring of state of the art technologies to downstream implementation and deployment of feasible technologies. In Singapore, how have these technologies been deployed to meet Singaporeís homeland security needs and also to serve as a reference point for regional learning? For the US, how has the homeland security role of the laboratory and other biosecurity assets changed over the past decade?

Opening Remarks: Dr. LEE Fook Kay and Dr. Jim LE DUC

11:15-12:30 - Session 2: Ebola and Emerging Infectious Diseases
The continuing Ebola crisis will be reflected on, with a discussion of how Singapore and the US have responded. There will be a specific examination of what the US or Singapore might do in the event of increased Ebola importations or an outbreak in a neighboring country. Lessons learned thus far for the US and Singapore will be discussed, as well as the role of the media in communications regarding infectious disease threats.

Opening Remarks: Dr. Noreen HYNES, Dr. Tikki PANGESTU, Dr. Vernon LEE, and Dr. Annelies WILDER-SMITH

12:30-1:30 - Lunch

1:30-3:15 - Session 3: Asia-Pacific Regional Contingencies for Biosecurity: The Role of Regional Bodies and International Organizations
This session will focus on areas where Singapore and the US may work together to resolve regional contingencies with biosecurity implications. This discussion will also consider the role of collaborative relationships among scientists, public health practitioners, and the security community, with an emphasis on discussing the role of regional bodies such as ASEAN and APEC and the regional presence of international organizations (WP and SEA regional WHO offices, and the Asia Pacific Strategy for Emerging Diseases).

Opening Remarks: Mr. KWA Chong Guan and Dr. Seth CARUS

Briefing: Dr. Mely CABALLERO-ANTHONY

3:15-3:30 - Coffee Break

3:30-5:45 - Session 4: Regional Panel
Dr. CHONG Chee Kheong and Dr. Daniel TJEN will present biosecurity perspectives from their countries. In particular, their remarks will address regional preparedness and realities of biosecurity threats, with a focus on active regional militant groups that may be considering using biological weapons.

5:45-6:00 - Group Photo (by RSIS photographer)

6:00-9:00 - Dinner (by invitation only)
Quentinís Eurasian Restaurant
139 Ceylon Road, Eurasian Community House, Singapore 429744
 

November 13, 2014

8:00-8:15 - US Participants meet at Marriott Hotel lobby, to be transported to RSIS

9:00-9:30 - Participants arrive at RSIS, coffee/tea (Reception Area)

9:30-10:45 - Session 5: Biosecurity and Multidisciplinary Governmental Approaches
In this session, the participants will discuss the challenges and opportunities to enhance biosecurity preparedness in a necessarily multisector approach (health, defense, homeland security, science and technology, industry), from the perspectives of Singapore and the US. In addition, there will be a discussion of nongovernment dimensions, such as the roles and responsibilities of traditional and social media, as well as the private health sector and NGOs.

Opening Remarks: Dr. Vernon LEE and Dr. Kenneth BERNARD

10:45-11:00 - Coffee Break

11:00-12:30 - Session 6: International Health Regulations: Strengthening Capacities, Lessons from Ebola
Building on the previous meetingís discussion on public health and the global health security agenda, this session will focus on approaches to strengthening international compliance with the International Health Regulations, health system preparedness in regional countries, and a discussion of how progress can be measured. What are the most valuable contributions the US and Singapore can make to this effort?

Opening Remarks: Dr. Julie FISCHER and Dr. OOI Peng Lim Steven

12:30-1:30 - Lunch

1:30-3:00 - Session 7: Biosafety and Developing National Norms and Capabilities
This session will focus discussion on recent biosafety events and mishaps and will discuss strategies in Singapore and the US to focus attention on safety. How can policymakers be engaged in discussions about biosafety progress?

Opening Remarks: Dr. CHUA Teak-Mean, Dr. Barbara JOHNSON, and Dr. Gigi GRONVALL

3:00-3:15 - Coffee Break

3:15-4:45 - Session 8: Wrap-up and Discussion on Expanding the Dialogue
The concluding session will solicit suggestions for specific people and areas of expertise to be included in the 2015 multilateral dialogue.

Meeting Participants

Names link to biographies

November 12-13, 2014

Event Photos

November 12-13, 2014