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EVENTS

Advancing Inclusive Leadership — Inaugural Women in International Trade Reception

Empowering Women at the Forefront of Trade Governance
On 11 September 2024, the Centre for Trade Excellence was proud to host its inaugural Women in International Trade reception in Manila, marking our first reception outside Singapore. Held as part of the WiST Forum and in conjunction with the Philippines Strategic Trade Management Summit (PH STM), the event underscored our ongoing commitment to promoting inclusive leadership, diversity in decision-making, and the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

Over 100 delegates came together to celebrate allyship and leadership diversity, both essential to building trade systems that are secure, equitable, and resilient.
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Leadership for Peace, Stability, and Progress
‍The reception highlighted the indispensable role of women in shaping trade policy, managing compliance systems, leading cross-sector collaborations, and advancing regional security through strategic governance.

Guests were inspired by welcome remarks from Ambassador Constance See, Singapore’s Ambassador to the Philippines and Deputy Assistant Secretary Kathryn Insley, U.S. Department of State.

Their reflections emphasized the need to mainstream gender perspectives into trade and security dialogues, and to create environments where women’s leadership can flourish at every level of influence, from technical expertise to policy advocacy.

Our Commitment to Leadership Development
At the Centre for Trade Excellence, we believe that resilient governance begins with representative leadership. Through our Women in International Trade chapter, we aim to:

Empower emerging and established women leaders in trade, compliance, and security
Promote gender-responsive governance frameworks aligned with international norms
Foster peer networks and mentorship opportunities across regions and sectors
Celebrate diverse perspectives as strategic assets in policymaking and institutional growth

This reception marks a meaningful milestone in that journey, creating space for connection, recognition, and long-term partnership.
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Looking Ahead
We are grateful to all who attended, to our hosts at Shangri-La The Fort, and to our co-organisers and supporters throughout the PH STM Summit (9–12 September). We look forward to expanding this platform at next year’s Summit in Thailand, as we continue to build inclusive, resilient foundations for a more secure and cooperative global trade environment.
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Watch the event highlights video and learn more about our leadership initiatives at the Centre for Trade Excellence.

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