9-9-2023 (NEW DELHI) In a significant development, Singapore and the United Kingdom announced the elevation of their bilateral relationship to a “strategic partnership” on Saturday (Sep 9), with both nations pledging to enhance cooperation in various key areas, including the economy and defence. The announcement came after a meeting between Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his British counterpart Rishi Sunak on the sidelines of the Group of Twenty (G20) summit in New Delhi. This meeting marked the first encounter between the two leaders since Mr Sunak assumed office in October last year.
In a joint declaration, Prime Minister Lee and Prime Minister Sunak hailed the enduring and historical partnership between their countries, which they described as dynamic and comprehensive at all levels. They expressed their commitment to build upon the positive momentum of previous agreements.
The strategic partnership encompasses five pillars of cooperation, namely economic cooperation, defence, security, intelligence, and foreign policy cooperation, climate, sustainability, green economy, and energy cooperation, research, science, innovation, and technology cooperation, as well as public sector cooperation.
In the economic realm, Singapore and the UK will deepen their relations to strengthen collaboration in traditional areas of trade, investment, and finance. Additionally, they will explore new frontiers in digital trade and the digital economy. Efforts will be made to maximize the benefits and opportunities arising from the UK-Singapore free trade agreement, the UK-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement, and the UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Furthermore, both nations will aim to conclude negotiations on a bilateral investment treaty that safeguards and promotes investment between the two countries. The leaders also emphasized enhanced cooperation in defence, security, intelligence, and foreign policy to contribute to the maintenance of a free, open, inclusive, stable, and peaceful international rules-based order.
This entails expanding bilateral defence cooperation in areas of shared security focus. Collaboration will be strengthened to address threats and malicious activities in the digital and cyber domains. Additionally, homeland security and safety cooperation will be reinforced through information-sharing in areas of mutual interest. The two countries will jointly tackle shared threats from illicit finance, economic crime, and organized crime.
In the field of science, innovation, and technology, a refreshed partnership will be launched to develop solutions for global challenges and drive economic growth.
The strategic partnership also highlights the commitment of both nations to promote and develop a green economy aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement and the Glasgow Climate Pact. Additionally, annual public service roundtables will be organized to enhance public sector cooperation.
To ensure the continuity and relevance of the strategic partnership, the foreign ministries of Singapore and the UK will conduct regular reviews of progress through a roadmap.
The joint declaration expressed that this momentous development heralds a new era in Singapore-United Kingdom relations, sparking opportunities for cooperation and strengthening connections for the common peace, stability, and prosperity of both nations.
On the sidelines of the G20 summit, Prime Minister Lee also engaged in discussions with Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Singapore reiterated its support for the open and rules-based multilateral trading system as embodied by the WTO and explored avenues to further contribute to the organization’s work.
Additionally, Prime Minister Lee met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, where they acknowledged the excellent ties between Singapore and the UAE. Both leaders expressed their willingness to explore greater cooperation, particularly in the field of green energy.
Earlier during the G20 summit, Prime Minister Lee delivered a speech urging governments to attract private funds to meet the investments required for the world to achieve its net-zero target by 2050. Moreover, he participated in the launch of the Global Biofuel Alliance, an initiative aimed at accelerating global efforts to achieve net-zero emissions targets by facilitating trade in biofuels derived from sources such as plant and animal waste. Singapore has joined the new alliance as an observer country, alongside founding members the United States and Brazil.
