MFA's mission is to safeguard and advance the interests of Singapore and Singaporeans through effective diplomacy. A budget of $400 million has been allocated to MFA in FY2007 to achieve this mission.

MFA aims to achieve the following outcomes:

• Advancement of Singapore’s national interests through friendly relations and close cooperation with the regional and international community
• International recognition of Singapore as a principled and constructive country and a relevant partner for cooperation and collaboration in various fields
• Prompt and effective consular services for Singaporeans

Advancement of Singapore’s national interests through friendly relations and close cooperation with the regional and international community

MFA aims to strengthen relations with our neighbours, ASEAN partners and key regional players such as the US, China, India, Japan, the EU, Australia and New Zealand. We also aim to deepen our engagement with emerging markets, including the Middle East, Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and Latin America. We will also enhance friendly relations with all our friends and partners. On the multilateral front, we will make our contributions to strengthen international and regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN, ARF, APEC, EAS and ASEM.

To achieve this outcome, we will:

• Maintain a steady level of visits and exchanges
• Leverage on Singapore's Chairmanship of ASEAN (Aug 2007 to July 2008) to strengthen ASEAN
• Build up our knowledge and expertise on emerging markets by enhancing our diplomatic presence in key regions
• Support the efforts of our economic agencies in expanding our web of Free Trade Agreements and promoting our business and commercial interests and activities overseas
• Support the work of our think tanks, such as ISEAS, RSIS and ISAS, as well as that of new centres, such as the Middle East Institute

$255 million will be allocated to the above efforts. This constitutes 64% of MFA’s total budget.

International recognition of Singapore as a principled and constructive country and a relevant partner for cooperation and collaboration in various fields

MFA aims to enhance Singapore’s role in international organisations in collaboration with other Singapore agencies, through constructive participation and by taking principled positions at the UN and key international forums. MFA will continue to build goodwill towards Singapore and profile the Singapore brand name through technical assistance, outreach activities and cultivation efforts.

To achieve this outcome, we will:

• Play an active role in international organisations and forums such as the UN, WTO, IMO, ICAO, IAEA, WIPO, WHO, ILO, the Commonwealth and the Proliferation Security Initiative, and participate in efforts to enhance their role and effectiveness
• Play a constructive role in APEC in the lead-up to Singapore’s Chairmanship in 2009
• Support the efforts of Singapore agencies to participate more effectively in international forums by providing training and foreign policy inputs
• Provide technical assistance through the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP) and by sharing Singapore's developmental experience

$119 million will be allocated to our participation in and contributions to regional and international organisations, the Singapore Cooperation Programme and outreach activities.

Prompt and effective consular services for Singaporeans

MFA aims to provide better, more timely and effective consular services through Singapore’s overseas missions, the network of Honorary Consuls General (HCGs) and friends of Singapore. This would include:

• Extending our consular reach through our network of overseas missions and Singapore organizations overseas so as to respond more quickly and effectively to requests for assistance from Singaporeans overseas
• Improving access to consular information and services and supporting the newly set up Overseas Singaporean Unit (OSU) in their efforts to engage Singaporeans overseas.

$26 million will be allocated to providing consular services.