Singapore: AIA pledges $5 million to support NPark's OneMillionTrees movement

| 29 Apr 2021

AIA and National Parks Board tree planting event, led by Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development and Minister-incharge of Social Services Integration. [From L to R] Mr Tang Tuck Weng (Assistant Chief Executive Officer, National Parks Board), Mrs Mildred Tan (Independent Non-Executive Director of the Board, AIA Singapore), Mr Tan Hak Leh (Chairman of the AIA Singapore Board, Regional Chief Executive and Group Chief Life Operations Officer of the AIA Group), Mr Desmond Lee (Minister for National Development and Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration), Ms Wong Sze Keed (Chief Executive Officer, AIA Singapore), Professor Leo Tan (Chairman, Garden City Fund),

AIA Singapore announced a new green pledge to mark its 90th anniversary in Singapore, pledging S$5 million to the National Parks Board's (NParks) registered charity, Garden City Fund, to plant 16,666 trees in Singapore's parks and nature reserves over the next 5 years.

These trees will contribute to NParks’ OneMillionTrees movement, which aims to plant more than a million trees across Singapore over the next 10 years. AIA’s contribution is the largest by an organisation to the OneMillionTrees movement and Garden City Fund’s Plant-A-Tree programme, to date. 

The life insurer is commemorating this new green pledge and its 90-year milestone today by planting 90 trees at the tranquil Rower’s Bay, located at Lower Seletar Reservoir, led by Minister for National Development and Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration, Mr Desmond Lee. Together with Regional Chief Executive and Group Chief Life Operations Officer of AIA Group, Mr Tan Hak Leh, Chief Executive Officer of AIA Singapore, Ms Wong Sze Keed, Chief Executive Officer of NParks, Mr Kenneth Er, Chairman of Garden City Fund, Professor Leo Tan, as well as the senior management team together with its longest service employees and representatives from AIA.

The trees donated by AIA will enhance the green spaces along island-wide recreational corridors, such as the RIR and Coast-to-Coast Trail, bringing communities closer to scenic parks, as well as strengthening ecological connectivity.

The trees planted include critically endangered native species, namely the Penggu (Horsfieldia irya) and the Powder-Puff Tree (Barringtonia racemosa), which provide food for hornbills and sunbirds. The planting of trees will also help create more naturalised landscapes, improving habitats for fauna such as garden birds, butterflies and dragonflies, and enabling visitors to get a closer experience with nature.

Image by AIA Singapore

Ms Wong Sze Keed, Chief Executive Officer of AIA Singapore, said: “Environmental wellness is a key focus for us moving forward as we look to connect our community more deeply with the environment. Spending time outdoors is integral to our wellbeing and there’s nothing like an invigorating green space to keep our minds and bodies healthy."

"We’re delighted to be taking proactive steps to advance the nation’s Singapore Green Plan 2030, co-creating more naturalised green spaces and a more sustainable society for families to live healthier, longer, better lives together. As AIA celebrates 90 years in Singapore, we remain dedicated to making positive, long-term contributions to our customers, the community, and the wider environment and ensuring Singapore is a sustainable home for generations to come," she added.

Image by AIA Singapore

Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development and Minister-in-Charge of Social Services Integration, said " Transforming Singapore into a City in Nature is one of our major goals under the Singapore Green Plan. It is a very important plan, not just for us, but for our children and grandchildren. The OneMillionTrees movement is a key pillar of this effort. With AIA's generous pledge of $5 million to the Garden City Fund, we will plant close to 16,700 trees over the next five years. It will provide lush green corridors that link communities, strengthen ecological connectivity between our green spaces, and enable park users to get closer to nature along these routes. Transforming Singapore into a City in Nature is painstaking work, and we will not be able to achieve this without your strong support."

AIA Singapore’s green pledge is the first step in the leading life insurer’s long-term commitment and investment in Environmental, Social, and Governance, which will see the company make positive contributions to Singapore’s sustainability, health, and families. Through engaging initiatives, AIA aims to encourage, enable and empower Singaporeans, and champion inclusion and economic prosperity, while supporting those less fortunate by giving back to the community.

More on AIA:

Majority of Singaporeans still struggling with their mental health

AIA announces 2020 financial results

AIA Singapore: 8-year-old learns why being a Financial Services Consultant is #NotJustAnotherJob

Vox pop: How the pandemic has changed people’s expectations when it comes to work and lifestyle

 

P.S: Join 10,000+ financial advisers, leaders, and senior executives on our complimentary VIP Weekly Newsletter

For the full suite of stories and updates, always check in to our Facebook / LinkedIn. Click the following if you want to improve your sales, learn how to be a better leader, or you just need some motivation to kick start your engine.

Do you have a new product or programme to share? Or perhaps you are keen to explore any collaborations with us or our partners?  Reach out to us at Connect@AsiaAdvisersNetwork.com