Standards New Zealand strengthens regional and international connections in Singapore

In June 2026, Standards New Zealand was represented in Singapore by Malcolm MacMillan, National Manager Standards New Zealand, and Ramola Duncan, Senior Advisor International Engagements, at a significant series of regional and international standards meetings, including the Standards & Conformance (S&C) Summit, the Pacific Area Standards Congress (PASC) Annual Meeting, and the Asia-Pacific Cooperation Forum (APCF) Mid-Year Meeting. Together, these events brought standards leaders, regulators, industry representatives, and international organisations together to explore how standards can support innovation, sustainability, trade, and global cooperation. 
 
A consistent theme across the week was trust. As economies become increasingly digital and interconnected, standards are playing a growing role in enabling secure, interoperable, and scalable systems. Discussions focused on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data protection, digital infrastructure, sustainability, climate action, and the future of international standardisation.

The Standards & Conformance Summit highlighted how standards help transform innovation into practical outcomes. Senior leaders from ISO, IEC, government agencies, and industry shared perspectives on emerging technologies and digital transformation. Speakers emphasised that standards are no longer simply technical documents; they are critical enablers of economic growth, market access, and public confidence. 
 
Reflecting on Singapore’s approach, Choy Sauw Kook, Director-General, Quality and Excellence Group at Enterprise Singapore, noted: “This collaborative approach extends to Singapore’s broader contributions to global governance. We are a small country, but our work through ISO, IEC, Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated and regional bodies strengthens not just our own capabilities, but the entire global standards and conformance ecosystem.”

The programme also included joint PASC–APCF workshops covering standards for development, climate and sustainability, emerging technologies, digitalisation, and the evolving business models of standards organisations. Discussions drew on the World Bank’s World Development Report 2025, which highlighted how standards can support innovation, reduce trade costs, and strengthen resilience against technological, financial, and environmental risks. 
 
A particular highlight was a keynote presentation by Natasha Crampton, Vice President and Chief AI Officer at Microsoft. Crampton explored the rise of Agentic AI – systems capable of planning, acting, learning, and adapting with limited human intervention. Her presentation highlighted both the opportunities and governance challenges associated with increasingly autonomous AI systems, reinforcing the importance of internationally aligned standards. 
 
At the 48th PASC Annual General Meeting, delegates reviewed progress on the PASC Strategic Plan 2026–2030 and discussed governance, technical cooperation, and member engagement. The meeting reinforced the importance of ensuring Asia-Pacific perspectives are reflected in international standards development. 

The region is diverse - Some members operate within highly developed standards systems, while others are still building capacity. PASC’s role, therefore, is not only to coordinate but to enable, to ensure that all members, regardless of starting point, can contribute meaningfully. Underlying these conversations was a broader reality: global standards shape global markets. Without a coordinated regional voice, countries risk being rule-takers rather than rule-makers. PASC exists to ensure that does not happen. 
 
As PASC Chair Guo Chenguang observed, “The Asia-Pacific region brings both diversity of experience and strong momentum in innovation. Through PASC, we work together to ensure that these perspectives are reflected in international standards, supporting more inclusive participation and balanced global development.”

For New Zealand, participation in PASC remains an important way to influence regional thinking, strengthen relationships, and remain connected to developments across the international standards community. The delegation also held bilateral meetings with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the Japanese Industrial Standards Committee (JISC), as well as engaging with Pacific regional partners through the Pacific Islands Standards Committee. 
 
The week concluded with a strong sense that standards are increasingly at the centre of global challenges and opportunities. From supporting digital transformation and responsible AI to enabling sustainability, trade, and innovation, standards provide the shared foundations that make international collaboration possible.  

For Karen Batt, APCF Chair, the value of these joint workshops lay precisely in this convergence of perspectives. ““The PASC and APCF meeting was a great opportunity for members to discuss shared challenges that are relevant across different national contexts in our region.” 

For Standards New Zealand, participation in forums such as the S&C Summit, PASC, and APCF ensures New Zealand remains informed, influential, and actively involved in shaping the systems that support economic growth and resilience across the region and beyond.