At ZSEM, we had the privilege of welcoming Mr. George Yeo, former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore, for a Fireside Chat titled “How Small Countries Can Make Sense of the Global Realignment of Powers.”
During the conversation, Mr. Yeo drew on his extensive experience — from more than two decades in the Singaporean government, through his military career, to his service on the Vatican Council for the Economy — to share valuable insights on diplomacy, leadership, and the role of smaller countries in today’s dynamic global environment.
Our students and guests had the opportunity to hear inspiring first-hand perspectives on global challenges and opportunities, and to reflect on how knowledge and leadership can shape the future. 💡
We extend our gratitude to Dean Mato Njavro for leading this thought-provoking discussion, and to our audience for their curiosity and engagement.
We look forward to future events and conversations that connect our community with world leaders and changemakers driving positive impact.
The Zagreb School of Economics and Management is proud to host a distinguished guest, Mr. George Yeo, former Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Singapore, for an exclusive fireside chat on 17 September at 2 PM at ZSEM.
In a talk titled “How Small Countries Can Make Sense of the Global Realignment of Powers,” Mr. Yeo will share his unique insights on diplomacy, geopolitics, and the position of small states in today’s rapidly evolving world order. Drawing from his extensive career in government, business, and international advisory roles, Mr. Yeo will explore how smaller nations can navigate the complexities of global power shifts and seize opportunities in times of change.
The chat will be moderated by Dr. Mato Njavro, Dean of ZSEM.
George Yeo – Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Singapore
Mr. George Yeo served in the Singapore Government for 23 years (1988–2011), holding several key ministerial portfolios: Minister for Information and the Arts, Minister for Health, Minister for Trade & Industry, and Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Before entering politics, Mr. Yeo began his career in the Singapore Armed Forces as a Signals Officer, later transferring to the Air Force. Rising through the ranks, he became Chief-of-Staff of the Air Staff and Director of Joint Operations and Planning in the Defence Ministry, attaining the rank of Brigadier-General.
After leaving government, Mr. Yeo joined the private sector and served as Chairman and Executive Director of Kerry Logistics Network in Hong Kong from 2012 to 2019, remaining with Kerry Group until 2021.
A Cambridge-trained engineer with an MBA from Harvard University, Mr. Yeo’s influence has spanned across government, business, and global advisory bodies. He was a member of the Pontifical Commission for Reference on the Economic-Administrative Structure of the Holy See (2013–2014) and the Vatican Council for the Economy (2014–2020).
He currently serves on the boards and advisory councils of numerous leading institutions worldwide, including:
In addition, Mr. Yeo is an Independent Non-Executive Director of AIA Group (Hong Kong Stock Exchange) and Pinduoduo (NASDAQ). He advises a range of organizations, including Huawei International Pte Ltd (Singapore), Winning International Group, V3 Group, and the start-up Plantonic.
He also served as Conference Chairman of the Singapore Summit (2012–2016).
Mr. Yeo’s broad experience across politics, defense, business, and international governance makes him one of the world’s most insightful voices on global affairs today.
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