Singapore named global genomics alliance anchor for Asia-Pacific at GA4GH's first Plenary meeting in Asia
29 September 2026
Category
Press Release
PRECISE signs two MOUs at the GA4GH 14th Plenary meeting with GA4GH and Genomics Australia respectively, as Singapore’s National Precision Medicine programme gains prominence on international stage.
The first Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH) Plenary held in Asia takes place in Singapore from 28 September to 2 October 2026.
Precision Health Research, Singapore (PRECISE) is designated as GA4GH's first Regional Hub Institution (RHI) giving the region a formal platform to shape the future of global genomics standards and frameworks.
Two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) signed at the Plenary: PRECISE-GA4GH (RHI designation) and PRECISE-Genomics Australia (bilateral cooperation on genomic implementation), cementing Singapore's reputation as a globally recognised hub for genomics and precision medicine, positioning the country as a trusted leader in the field.
Strong Asian representation, with countries from Asia Pacific comprising half of the 28 countries in attendance.
29 SEPTEMBER 2026 – Singapore is hosting the GA4GH 14th Plenary meeting from 28 September to 2 October 2026—the first time this flagship meeting has been held in Asia. Mdm Rahayu Mahzam, Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information & Ministry of Health, attended the opening ceremony as the event’s Guest-of-Honour. At the Plenary, PRECISE is designated GA4GH’s Regional Hub Institution (RHI) for Asia Pacific, and signed two international MOUs with GA4GH and Genomics Australia. Together, these milestones reflect Singapore’s growing regional and international standing in genomics and precision medicine, built through nearly a decade of developing, implementing and advancing Singapore’s National Precision Medicine programme.
Singapore as GA4GH's Asia-Pacific anchor
The MOU signed by PRECISE and GA4GH designates PRECISE as the first RHI for Asia Pacific, with Singapore serving as GA4GH’s focal point in Asia. Its responsibilities include strengthening links between Asia-Pacific stakeholders and the wider GA4GH community through outreach and engagement, as well as advancing GA4GH standards towards International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) recognition.
“PRECISE and Singapore have been active partners in the GA4GH community for many years, contributing to global genomics standards, and international collaboration for example, through supporting cross-border research. Singapore’s appointment as GA4GH’s first Asian Regional Hub Institution is a natural progression of this partnership and recognises Singapore’s growing influence in genomics and precision medicine,” said Professor Patrick Tan, Executive Director, PRECISE and Board Member, GA4GH Inc.
“Convening in Asia as a full community is long overdue and presents a huge opportunity for GA4GH. The region’s pace of development and discovery has become central to the future of genomics. As GA4GH’s Regional Hub Institution for Asia Pacific, PRECISE will convene and connect the region, strengthening GA4GH’s engagement with the global genomics community. Hosting 14th Plenary marks an important first step in this role,” said Mr Peter Goodhand, President, GA4GH Inc.
Deepening bilateral collaboration with Genomics Australia
The MOU signed by PRECISE and Genomics Australia, sets out a framework for cooperation in areas such as population-scale genomic screening and care pathways; the responsible management and security of genomic data; public and patient engagement; and workforce capacity and education.
“The last decade has been a pivotal period for genomics in both Australia and Singapore, and our two national efforts have progressed strongly with different emphases but complementary strengths. Working with PRECISE is a great opportunity to learn from Singapore's experience and to share our own, as both countries move toward mainstreaming genomics in routine care," said Ms Tiffany Boughtwood, Australian Health Genomics Commissioner.
From national progress to global partnership
Since the launch of the National Precision Medicine programme in 2017, Singapore has steadily built its capabilities in genomics and precision medicine. This includes the PRECISE-SG100K cohort and clinical implementation studies examining how genomics could improve the identification and management of genetic high cholesterol, hereditary cancers, kidney disease and medication-related risks.
The hosting of the GA4GH 14th Plenary meeting in Singapore, PRECISE’s appointment as the first GA4GH RHI, and its new partnerships with Genomics Australia all reflect Singapore’s progress and international recognition. Through this, Singapore is strongly positioned to contribute its expertise, strengthen collaboration across Asia Pacific, and help shape the responsible advancement of genomics globally.
Media Contact
Sandra AU
Senior Advisor
Precision Health Research, Singapore (PRECISE)
sandra.au.xj@precise.cris.sg
LOI San San
Assistant Director, Corporate Communications
Consortium for Clinical Research and Innovation, Singapore (CRIS)
san.san.loi@cris.sg
About Precision Health Research, Singapore (PRECISE)
Precision Health Research, Singapore (PRECISE) is the national central entity coordinating Singapore’s multi-phase National Precision Medicine (NPM) programme. Established to drive a whole-of-Singapore effort, PRECISE works with research, clinical, and industry partners to generate insights into Asian genomics and translate these into better health outcomes and economic opportunities.
PRECISE is a programme of the Consortium for Clinical Research and Innovation, Singapore (CRIS). NPM Phase II is supported by the National Research Foundation, Singapore under the White Space funding (MOH-000588 and MOH-001264) and administered by the Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) through the National Medical Research Council (NMRC) Office, MOH Holdings Pte Ltd. NPM Phase III is supported by the Singapore MOH through the NMRC Office, MOH Holdings Pte Ltd under the NMRC NPM Phase III Funding Initiative (MOH-001734).
About Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH)
The Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH) is an international, not-for-profit alliance formed in 2013 to accelerate the potential of research and medicine for the advancement of human health. GA4GH develops technical standards and frames policies to expand the responsible use of genomic data within a human rights Framework. Bringing together individuals across 600+ organisations in healthcare, research, patient advocacy, life science, and information technology, GA4GH builds the foundation for broad and responsible use of genomic data. Learn more at ga4gh.org (opens in new tab).
About Genomics Australia
Genomics Australia was established on 1 July 2025 as a secondary non-statutory body within the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
Genomics Australia provides national leadership, coordination and expertise to enable all Australians to benefit from advances in genomic research and technologies. It supports the transition from research to the integration of genomics into clinical service delivery.
For more information visit www.genomicsaustralia.gov.au (opens in new tab)
Annexes
ANNEX 1 - About the PRECISE-GA4GH MOU
Singapore Regional Hub Institution
Signed on 29 September 2026, at the GA4GH 14th Plenary meeting held in Singapore.
Parties signing the MOU |
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Areas of collaboration |
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Significance | This MOU recognises Singapore's standing in global precision medicine. As GA4GH's sole Regional Hub Institution for Asia-Pacific, PRECISE gains a formal platform to amplify Asia-Pacific's voice in shaping global genomics standards and frameworks. This is a significant moment for the region — GA4GH itself has acknowledged that convening Asia-Pacific as a full community is "overdue and a huge opportunity," reflecting how central the region's pace of development and discovery has become to the future of global genomics. |
Signatories |
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Witnesses |
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ANNEX 2 - About the PRECISE-Genomics Australia MOU
Transforming Genomic Innovation into Healthcare Impact: Partnership in Precision Medicine
Signed on 29 September, at the 14th GA4GH Plenary held in Singapore.
Parties signing the MOU |
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Areas of collaboration | The Participants will cooperate on progressing the implementation of health genomics. Proposed areas for collaboration include:
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Significance | The last decade has been a pivotal period for genomics in Australia and Singapore. Both national efforts have progressed strongly with different emphases and complementary strengths. The partnership’s significance lies in linking two national genomics efforts that are at similar stages of translating research into everyday healthcare, and taking a collaborative model to share knowledge, best practices and lessons learnt. In this partnership, Singapore contributes the experience of a highly integrated, urbanised health system with a multi-ancestry Asian population; Australia brings the perspective of a federated system serving a diverse and geographically dispersed population. |
Signatories |
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Witnesses |
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ANNEX 3 - GA4GH 14th Plenary | Programme at a Glance
Date: 28 September – 2 October 2026
Location: One Farrer Hotel, Singapore
Programme Schedule
Date | Programme | Who can attend | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
28 Sep | National Initiatives Forum (NIF) Day | By invitation or application | NIF members convene to share progress and discuss challenges on implementing genomics in national healthcare systems. |
29-30 Sep | Plenary Talks | Open to all, seats limited | The genomics and health community hears from a global line-up of speakers on genomic and health data sharing, and progress from local, national and global initiatives. Speakers include Senior Minister of State Mdm Rahayu Mahzam, Dame Prof Sue Hill (NHS), Geoffrey Ginsburg (All of Us), Eric Green (Illumina) and more. |
1-2 Oct | Connect working meetings | Standards developers and implementers jointly address open questions around technical decisions, user needs, and priorities for the year ahead. |
Access the full agenda here: broadinstitute.swoogo.com/ga4gh-14th-plenary/11058020 (opens in new tab)
Also during the week:
Networking & Poster Session
30 Sep, 5.00pm – 7.00pm
Foyer / Outdoor Terrace
Registration Daily from 8.00am
Plenary and Connect sessions are open to all; the National Initiatives Forum is by invitation or application only.
ANNEX 4 - PRECISE Spokespersons’ Names (Mandarin)
...
Name/Designation (English) | Name/Designation (Mandarin) |
|---|---|
Professor Patrick Tan | 陈文炜 教授 |
Dr Seow Shih Wee* | 萧诗薇 博士 |
Clinical A/Prof Tan Ee Shien* | 陈玉娴 临床副教授 |
*Both Clinical A/Prof Tan and Dr Seow are the Conference Programme co-chairs.