It's as far removed from steamy Singapore as you can get, but developments in the Arctic have significance here, says Minister of State Sam Tan.

Mr Tan, who is in Norway for a global conference on the region, pointed to just two of the most obvious "connection" points: climate change and a possible new Northern Sea passage. As a small nation at the crossroads of a major global shipping lane, the possibility of the Northern Sea Route is of interest to Singapore, he said.