One Gippsland has taken part in the 2026 World Cities Summit in Singapore in an effort to raise the organisation’s international profile and opened the door to new partnerships and possible investment.
One Gippsland Chair and South Gippsland Shire Mayor, Nathan Hersey (pictured, right), along with CEO of Food and Fibre Gippsland, Simon Johnson, attended the global event which brings together government leaders, industry experts, and city and regional planners to share practical solutions for growth and for improving quality of life.
Mayor Hersey said Gippsland’s involvement meant the event enabled the region to take part in global conversations, while bringing home practical ideas and new relationships.
Mayor Hersey was warmly welcomed to Singapore on day one of the Summit by Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Low Yen Ling, prior to attending a tour of Gardens by the Bay to view the ecoWise Marina Power Tri-Generation System, a waste to energy facility.
This was followed by roundtable discussion on energy production, with mayors from across the world and formal attendance and participation in the Mayor’s Forum.
Through the sub-event, under the European Union’s International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) program, Mayor Hersey and Mr Johnson joined more than 100 city and regional leaders to participate in the second round of face-to-face collaborations with regions from across the world.
“Gippsland is facing many of the same challenges as regions around the world. Sharing ideas and hearing from regions that have already been through industry transitions has been extremely interesting,” Mayor Hersey said.
The Mayor took part as a panel speaker in a discussion on the future of cities and regions, alongside representatives from Portugal, Melbourne, Colombia, Spain and India. The discussion looked at how partnerships between countries and regions can support new ideas, help communities cope with change, and encourage sustainable growth.
He also joined a discussion with about energy, community wellbeing, and the need for regions hosting major energy projects to see lasting local benefits.
“Gippsland has helped power Victoria for more than 100 years and is ready to continue playing that role through a more diverse energy economy,” Mayor Hersey said.
“Our message was clear: Gippsland cannot simply be the place where projects happen and impacts are felt.
“Our communities must see real benefits through jobs, skills, infrastructure, local procurement and investment that remains in the region.
“We are learning what has been done well and what has failed in other regions across the world in this space, so we can ensure that Gippsland can be well placed to advocate and see genuine benefits,” he said.
The Gippsland Trusted branding and the Gippsland Circular Economy Hub, an initiative that helps businesses reduce waste and reuse materials, were showcased during the program. Gippsland’s work was recognised as the most innovative among 21 international projects in the group focused on farming, food and forestry.
Mr Johnson said the recognition showed the strength of regional collaboration across Gippsland.
“Gippsland is showing what can be achieved when local government, industry, research and regional organisations work together around a shared purpose,” he said.
“The international recognition is important, but the greater opportunity is the ability to connect with partners, test ideas and accelerate practical work that supports our food and fibre industries and regional economy.”
Mayor Hersey said One Gippsland would use these insights and relationships to support future advocacy, investment attraction and regional development.
“International collaboration only matters if it creates local value. We will now focus on translating the ideas and connections developed in Singapore into opportunities for Gippsland communities and industries,” he said.
