Singapore is positioning the country at the forefront of health and sustainability following the unveiling of a landmark international certification system for lifestyle coaches during the inaugural Global Green Development & Healthy Lifestyle Summit, which links public health policy with long-term economic transformation.
During the summit, National Research Foundation of Singapore Chairman Heng Swee Keat said green development and healthy lifestyles are not just social aspirations but key drivers of future growth.
“They are important directions for nations to work together toward a sustainable future,” he said.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, in a video address, underscored how healthy living ties directly into public policy.
He pledged Singapore’s commitment to contribute expertise and evidence-based policymaking to strengthen international cooperation in the field.
The two-day summit at Marina Bay Sands attracted more than 2,000 participants from over 30 countries, with leading academics and industry figures sharing insights on how health and green development can converge to create business value and sustainable futures.
The centrepiece of the summit was the launch of the Healthy Lifestyle Coach Certification (HLCC) system, a joint initiative led by the UNESCO International Centre for Higher Education Innovation (UNESCO-ICHEI) and the Singapore Nutrition & Dietetics Association, alongside global partners.
Operated via the International Institute of Online Education platform, HLCC integrates artificial intelligence-driven personalised learning, six-UN language support and a standardised, employment-oriented curriculum designed to train professionals worldwide.
Industry experts say the certification could fuel the growth of a new skills-based economy in health and wellness, creating professional opportunities across Asia and beyond.
The event also saw the presentation of the 2025 IIOE Higher Education Digitalisation Pioneer Case Award, recognising innovation in digital education — a sector increasingly aligned with healthcare and environmental sustainability.
Organised by UNESCO-ICHEI and the Federation of Asian Nutrition Societies, with support from SEAMEO, the Singapore Nutrition & Dietetics Association, and other partners, the summit built consensus on co-creating a greener, healthier global future.
