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SINGAPORE: Host Singapore has delivered more than an efficient APEC 2009.
Speaking at an appreciation reception for over 1,000 volunteers on Friday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Singapore delivered a "memorable Singapore Experience".
Singapore played host to 123 APEC-related meetings - big and small - from February to November this year. These were attended by some 14,000 delegates and the world's media.
All of them were a success because of the volunteers and officials who kept the Singapore flag flying. Mr Lee said many of them performed beyond the call of duty.
For example, Mr James Boey, who was in the APEC organising secretariat, had to juggle visits to see his father at the hospital with his work in developing plans for the movements of the motorcade with the 21 world leaders from their hotels to the APEC Summit at the Istana.
Mr Boey said: "Just two months away from the event, my father had kidney failure and he was warded at the ICU and that was a critical period when I had to manage both my family requirements and the work requirements."
Mr Lee said officials spent thousands of hours in planning and practising for the events.
He said: "We thought through and thoroughly rehearsed all aspects of the APEC events - where to get on to the tricycle, how far to cycle, where to stop and how to get off the tricycle."
Mr Lee was referring to the "Singapore Evening" where the APEC leaders were ferried by old-fashioned trishaws to their dinner near The Esplanade's Floating Platform.
Mr Lee said guests appreciated Singapore's efficient and smooth operations.
But what moved them were the little touches that made them feel welcomed, including the help rendered to an official from the Hawaiian Tourism Authority. Hawaii will host the APEC Summit in 2011, and the official was in Singapore to observe the proceedings.
Mr Lee said: "She was at the CityLink, trying to get to Suntec, but was unsure which way to go. A member of the public saw her looking hesitant, noticed her APEC delegate's tag, and approached her to offer his help with directions.
"She was extremely touched by this kind gesture. We do not know who this Singaporean was, but he represents all Singaporeans and we are proud of what he has done."
Others ensured that language was not a barrier for delegates.
Inna Rhyzhy, a Russian living in Singapore, said: "I speak both Russian and English. I was helping out at the Russian Embassy and being the liaison for anything that the Russian delegation needed, I was there."
It may be another 20 years before Singapore gets to host the next APEC Summit again, and to have memories of the items prepared for the Singapore summit, the organising committee has decided to bury them in a time capsule.
Among them are DVDs for guests, the minister's bag and collar pins used by delegates. The time capsule will be kept at the APEC Singapore Secretariat. It will be opened when Singapore next hosts the APEC Summit.
- CNA/ir
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