Southeast Asia is a region that is greatly diverse - one therefore with great potential for tension and conflict. Singapore is only one small country in this region, and our well-being in the long term depends on the region being in reasonably good shape. So far, ASEAN has been successful in managing regional conflicts, and its role in conflict management will continue to remain relevant today and in the future.

But ASEAN is also entering a new phase of development. With the rise of India and China, will countries in Southeast Asia quickly become over-shadowed? Will the two Asian giants swallow us up? To hold our own, ASEAN as a regional entity must integrate more deeply and do so quickly.

In the past, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had acted as Singapore's primary point of engagement with the external world. But as ASEAN integrates more deeply and the scope of our international and regional commitments grow, the Singapore Public Service as a whole - not just MFA - must engage ASEAN and the world more actively.

What it means in practical terms is this: each and every ministry and agency must learn to network, engage and interact with their ASEAN counterparts. This will facilitate cross-learning and build relationships on multiple levels. Only then can we leverage on each other's strengths. That's what "growing Singapore by growing ASEAN" means.

It will require a mindset change. Previously, it was possible to distinguish a 'foreign ministry' from other 'domestic ministries'. But increasingly, the lines between foreign and domestic policies are blurring.

Matters relating to the environment, for example, used to be a matter of domestic policy, but not anymore. Similarly, in other areas such as education or labour laws, Singapore will have to take into account what other countries in the world and region are doing.

Foreign relations cannot be a matter for MFA alone. That's why a mindset change is required - because 'domestic' ministries and agencies can no longer afford to treat foreign relations like just another 'ECA' - it's not merely about hosting foreign visits or giving tours to visiting dignitaries. They have to get involved on a much deeper level now. They have to develop the instincts to play the international and regional game by actively participating in regional meetings, dialogue sessions and working groups that relate to their areas of expertise.

MFA can help start this engagement process by passing on the contacts, and even by helping to set up international relations departments. We can help with the know-how and provide training sessions, but at the end of the day, each ministry and agency will have to proactively put these skills into practice.

The biggest hurdle is in the mind. A lot of people, even senior public servants, are not comfortable operating in the external environment. Unlike Singapore, externally, most factors are out of control and the risk of failure is high. It's a fact - a sad fact - that Singapore civil servants like to gather in a corner and talk among themselves at regional meetings! They are like the proverbial rabbit caught in the glare of the headlights, or perhaps they do not believe they have anything to learn from others.

That's the kind of mindset we have to break. We have to continually encourage our people to engage their ASEAN counterparts so that we can understand their preoccupations in order to advance our mutual interests.

Also, diplomacy is a skill. And like any other skill, it has to be practised. You cannot learn diplomacy on paper. You have to go to regional meetings and act. That's how you hone your instincts. These are skills that every ministry and agency need to survive in an increasingly competitive world. But I am not pessimistic about the prospects. The necessity of events will eventually persuade public servants to change; if they don't, they will fail and they are a pragmatic lot who don't want to fail.

That's why we have several cross-ministry mechanisms such as the ASEAN National Committee (ANC), whose role is to oversee Singapore's engagement on all fronts. Such a mechanism will make sure that the right hand knows what the left hand is doing. Indeed, it will make sure that the right and left hands work together in the interest of the big picture.

In the economic sphere, Singapore is interested in achieving greater integration. The ASEAN Charter will provide the blueprint to forge a closer ASEAN.

Singapore is also keen to move forward on the environmental front. We hope to discuss and agree on issues such as alternative fuels, energy efficiency, transboundary pollution and sustainable development. Singapore will hold the Chairmanship for one year - that's not a very long time. There is much to be done. Of course, we don't expect to change things overnight, but the aim is to entrench some new directions and move things along.