Tharman Shanmugaratnam

About

Served in politics for 22 years before resigning to contest in the Presidential Election. Was Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister for several years, and Education Minister earlier. Last served in government as Senior Minister, and also served as Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), Singapore’s central bank and financial regulator, from 2011 to 2023. Has been committed through the years to building economic resilience and a more inclusive social compact. On the latter, has been especially engaged in sustaining social mobility, improving jobs for lower-income workers, and making life-long learning a reality for all. Also sought to deepen and advance Singapore’s model of multiculturalism. Introduced major educational reforms while serving as Education Minister, aimed at achieving a broader and more flexible system of meritocracy. Later led the SkillsFuture programme, which was launched in 2014. Also chaired the tripartite councils from 2011 to 2016 which drove national efforts to transform productivity through innovation and skills, and the implementation of industry-specific transformation programmes. Has led several international councils focused especially on global financial reforms, preparedness for future pandemics, education, and global water sustainability. Currently chairs the board of the Group of Thirty, an independent global council of economic and financial leaders from the public and private sectors. Also co-chaired the Global Commission on the Economics of Water (GCEW), whose initial recommendations helped shape the outcomes of the UN Water Conference in March 2023. The GCEW released its final report in October 2024. In addition, co-chairs the High-Level Advisory Council on Jobs, established by the World Bank Group in July 2024.