SINGAPORE and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have inked a slew of agreements in areas such as the green economy, climate change and digital government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on Sunday (Oct 22).

Other areas of cooperation covered by the agreements include education, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and halal food certification.

In total, the two countries signed seven memoranda of understanding (MOUs) on top of a green economy framework agreement.

The exchanges of these agreements were witnessed by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi.

Following a welcome ceremony, PM Lee called on Sheikh Mohamed, who also hosted a lunch in the prime minister’s honour, MFA said.

Both leaders reaffirmed the excellent bilateral relations and the strong cooperation under the Singapore-UAE Comprehensive Partnership inked in February 2019.

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Singapore and the UAE also issued a joint statement on climate cooperation, where both leaders reiterated their willingness to continue working together to achieve their net-zero emission goals by 2050, “while fast-tracking a just energy transition and promoting a supportive and open international economic system”.

PM Lee and Sheikh Mohamed also stressed that the delivery of financial commitments, including in mobilising new finance, is key to “restoring trust and faith within the multilateral process on climate change”.

During his trip, PM Lee also visited the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, where he was briefed by its group CEO and Minister of Industry Sultan Al Jaber on the future of the UAE’s energy transition plans.

A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said it was a “fruitful discussion” on the opportunities that decarbonisation, including the production of renewables and hydrogen, could bring for the UAE and Singapore.

Also on PM Lee’s itinerary in Dubai on Sunday was a meeting with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as well as a reception for overseas Singaporeans.