It is with great pleasure that I pen this message for the final newsletter of what has been a momentous and thrilling 20^th anniversary year for the Society. As founding chair, I have been greatly impressed by how far the Society has travelled. It commands a leadership position in strategic thinking and continuing education for matters relating to the construction industry in Singapore. This is all the more commendable given how the construction industry has grown over the past twenty years and how key a role Singapore plays in infrastructure development for the region.

August’s “20 Year Journey and Beyond: Strategic Leadership Dialogue with SCL Singapore Past Chairs” was a highlight of the year, involving as it did a taking stock of the first twenty years and discussion of what the future holds. In my view, an important trend is collaborative contracting, which goes hand in hand with dispute resolution mechanisms designed both to further the progress of the project and preserve working relations among parties. The Society can contribute to the growth and spread of this developing model.

That Dialogue achieved a broad reach thanks to its virtual format, something that we had all grown accustomed to during the long months of the pandemic. The return to in-person events heralded by October’s “Focus on Asia” Conference with its theme of sustainability was undoubtedly much welcomed. The 20^th Anniversary Dinner that followed the Conference was all the livelier because we were finally all back together, sharing food, wine and good conversation. 

As the year ends, and a new one begins, members of the Society have much to look forward to. 2023 will undoubtedly bring new challenges, and the Society will surely contribute to dealing with them, especially concerning how the industry adapts to climate change.

I wish all members of the Society, as well as its chairperson and officers, all the best for the season and for a productive and happy 2023.

Justice Philip Jeyaretnam
Founding Chair, SCL (Singapore)