Kishore Mahbubani | Speaker

Kishore Mahbubani is a distinguished diplomat and academic with over five decades in public service and academia. His profound insights on global policy, East-West relations, and diplomacy make him a sought-after keynote speaker for corporate events worldwide.

Speaker Topics

Key Topics:

  • The Asian Century
  • Global Challenges Calling for Global Solutions
  • China, US and EU relations

Biography

Kishore Mahbubani: A Visionary Leader in Diplomacy and Academia

Kishore Mahbubani has spent five decades dedicated to shaping global perspectives in diplomacy and public policy. With 33 years in the Singapore Administrative Service, 13 years as the Founding Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, and his current role as a Distinguished Fellow at the Asia Research Institute, Mahbubani has impacted global policy, education, and East-West relations profoundly. For corporate event planners seeking a speaker with unmatched experience in diplomacy, his stories and insights offer invaluable lessons on leadership, resilience, and global cooperation.

Decades of Service as a Diplomat

In his career as a Singapore diplomat, Kishore Mahbubani undertook significant assignments worldwide, shaping policy and representing Singapore’s interests on the global stage. One of his earliest and most challenging assignments was in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, during the 1973–74 conflict, where he worked amid daily shelling. Mahbubani also served in key diplomatic posts in Kuala Lumpur, Washington D.C., and at the United Nations, where he represented Singapore as Ambassador from 1984 to 1989 and again from 1998 to 2004. His dedication earned him the prestigious Public Administration Medal (Gold) in 1998, recognising his contributions to Singapore’s international stature.

Leadership and Academic Excellence

Following his diplomatic service, Mahbubani transitioned into academia as the Founding Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. Under his leadership, the school quickly became a part of the elite Global Public Policy Network, alongside Columbia University, the London School of Economics, and Sciences Po in Paris. Despite his extensive administrative duties, Mahbubani contributed prolifically to global thought, publishing nine books. His best-known works, such as Can Asians Think? , The New Asian Hemisphere, and The ASEAN Miracle, have sparked debate and encouraged critical examination of Western and Asian relations. His most recent book,…

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