Singapore and Maldives to cooperate on sustainability

Singapore and the Maldives — both small island countries vulnerable to climate change — have signed an agreement to work together on sustainability and the environment.

- Shermaine Ang

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.