Singapore, 16 June 2026 – City Developments Limited (CDL), together with its partners, launched the Saving Glaciers and Oceans Alliance at the World Cities Summit (WCS) 2026 today. Initiated by CDL, the Alliance is conceived as a global platform dedicated to driving collective action, partnerships and solutions to protect two of the world's most vulnerable ecosystems – glaciers and oceans.

The launch was marked by a ceremonial pledge undertaken by 35 country representatives, leading non-governmental organisations and other key stakeholders to affirm their commitment to strengthening collaborative action across sectors and borders in the protection of glaciers and oceans. They include diplomats representing Australia, Cambodia, Colombia, the European Union Delegation to Singapore, Indonesia, the Lao People's Democratic Republic and Panama, as well as representatives from global organisations such as the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and the World Green Building Council.

Ms Esther An, Chief Sustainability Officer of CDL, said, "The scale and speed of glacier melt, which together with global warming contributes to sea-level rise, demands urgent collaborative action. As a built environment leader, CDL is committed to accelerating climate action and mitigating our industry’s environmental impact. Through the Saving Glaciers and Oceans Alliance, we aim to bring together public, private and people sectors to accelerate meaningful solutions for two ecosystems that are fundamental to the health of our planet. We believe that sustainability is not achieved by any one organisation acting alone – it requires partnerships, innovation and a shared commitment to creating a more resilient future for all."

In conjunction with the launch of the Alliance, a series of keynote presentations and discussions from renowned environmental advocates such as Sir Robert Swan, Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), polar explorer, and environmental leader; Mr Michael Aw, Founder of Ocean Geographic; and Ms Andrea Erikson, Managing Director of The Nature Conservancy, were held. A subsequent fireside discussion moderated by Ms An explored pathways for international cooperation, innovation, and partnerships to advance glacier and ocean protection efforts globally.

Sir Robert Swan, OBE, said, “Glaciers and oceans may seem distant to many people, but they are fundamental to every life on Earth. The Saving Glaciers and Oceans Alliance is a commitment to move beyond words and into action. If we work together – cities, governments, science, business, and civil society – we can protect these vital ecosystems for future generations. The future is not something that happens to us; it is something we create through the choices we make today.”

Mr Michael Aw, Founder of Ocean Geographic, said, “The story of our oceans and glaciers is ultimately the story of humanity's relationship with nature. Both are under unprecedented pressure, yet both remain essential to the stability of our planet and the well-being of future generations. The Saving Glaciers and Oceans Alliance sends a powerful message: that science, leadership, and collaboration can come together to protect what sustains us all. The choices we make today will determine whether future generations inherit thriving ecosystems or only memories of them.”

The launch of the Alliance was held at the City Innovators Stage (CIS) as part of the WCS exhibition.  The CIS was initiated in 2018 and returns for its fourth edition at the WCS this year. Since then, the partnership model between CDL and the Centre for Liveable Cities (CLC) has grown into a leading platform for showcasing innovative, scalable, and impactful climate solutions.

Together with CDL and Enterprise Singapore, the CIS and Innovators Alley at the WCS exhibition spotlight innovative solutions and strategies for sustainable urban development. The Innovators Alley features 11 Singapore companies presenting advancements in nature-based solutions, property technology, carbon reduction technologies, and sustainability tools. This includes start-ups and emerging enterprises such as Carbon1010, a Singapore-based climate-tech startup focused on decarbonising the built environment through advanced material innovation and intelligent system integration; Greenphyto, one of the world’s largest and tallest agri-tech farms dedicated to securing sustainable food supplies through innovation, as well as CBM’s innovations in automation, AI and sustainable technologies to enhance safety, improve operational efficiency, and reduce environmental impact across environmental, security and laundry services.