Singapore and Maldives to cooperate on sustainability
(Photo credit: ST Photo/Chong Jun Liang)
Source: The Straits Times
Singapore and the Maldives – both small island countries vulnerable to climate change – have signed an agreement to work together on sustainability and the environment.
In the afternoon of June 30, they also inked two other agreements to cooperate on capacity building and technical and vocational education training. These would allow the two countries to explore study visits, bilateral exchanges and share knowledge.
The signing was witnessed by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, who is in Singapore for a three-day state visit till July 2. The visit marks the 50th year of diplomatic relations between both countries. It is Dr Muizzu’s first visit to Singapore in his current capacity, and the fifth high-level visit by a Maldivian president.
Speaking at a state banquet later on June 30, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam said Singapore and the Maldives feel the impact of global shifts more acutely than most, not least in the effects of climate change.
“Rising seas, increased warming and extreme weather, and increasingly fragile natural ecosystems pose a fundamental threat to all nations, but impact small island states in unique ways,” he added.
The banquet was held at The Fullerton Hotel in honour of Dr Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed. They are accompanied on the trip by nine Cabinet ministers and other senior government officials.
Mr Tharman said Singapore and the Maldives are close partners in more ways than the countries’ small size might suggest.
“We both rely on the world for trade, ideas and growth. And we both share the instinct that if we stay open and outward-looking, and keep investing in our people, we can chart our own course, and turn our constraints as island states into opportunity,” he said.
He noted that the Maldives has established itself as a world-renowned destination for luxury tourism, and is building deep expertise in sustainability and marine conservation. Singapore has harnessed its human capital and geography to become a global hub for trade, finance and innovation, he added.
Mr Tharman highlighted opportunities to deepen cooperation, citing areas like training for hospitality and sustainable tourism practices, as well as in the export of seafood and other products from the Maldives.
Singapore can help expand Maldives’ reach in East Asia, using its logistics networks and cold chain capabilities – needed in handling temperature-sensitive goods – to ensure short lead time to market, lower logistics costs and product integrity, he said.
Before attending the banquet, Dr Muizzu received a ceremonial welcome and called on Mr Tharman at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He and PM Wong also met to discuss opportunities to strengthen economic cooperation, including a bilateral investment treaty.
Dr Muizzu and Mrs Sajidha also visited the National Orchid Garden in the Singapore Botanic Gardens, where a new orchid hybrid was named in their honour.
Most of Singapore’s investments in the Maldives are in tourism, with Banyan Tree and Hotel Properties Limited being the largest investors. In 2024, bilateral trade amounted to $351.9 million.
The new agreement on sustainability and the environment covers areas such as climate change negotiation, environmental protection, waste and wastewater management, and weather forecasting and climate science.
Under the agreement, both countries will explore study visits, bilateral exchanges and share knowledge on topics of mutual interest.
Under the two-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) on capacity building, Singapore will offer customised study visits for government officials from the Maldives. These will cover areas such as sustainable development, economic development and public administration.
Over 1,600 Maldives officials have been trained under the Singapore Cooperation Programme so far, mainly in finance, public administration, governance and law, and economic development.
The Singapore Cooperation Programme was established in 1992. It allows foreign officials to sign up for courses that the Government supports.
The MOU between Singapore’s Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and Maldives’ Ministry of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development aims to strengthen cooperation in higher education, educational policy, technical and vocational education and training, and research.
It will focus on joint curriculum development, sharing of best practices, capacity building for higher education institutions in the Maldives, and enhancing the quality and relevance of vocational training.
Key areas of cooperation include faculty and student exchanges, joint research initiatives, collaborative academic programmes and policy dialogue.
The five-year MOU also supports professional development through executive education, immersion attachments, and training in educational planning and governance.
To commemorate the 50th year of diplomatic ties between both countries, SingPost and the Maldives Post have also jointly released a set of stamps.
Featured on the stamps are Singapore’s Lazarus Island and Hulhudhoo of the Maldives.
The stamps were unveiled by Mr Tharman and Dr Muizzu at The Fullerton Hotel before the banquet.
During their visit, Dr Muizzu and his delegation will also participate in a high-level investment forum organised by Invest Maldives. In addition, they will visit Tuas Port, ITE Central and the Singapore City Gallery to understand Singapore’s experiences in port management, vocational education, urban planning and housing development.