- The two nations are set to collaborate on renewable energy, targeting the ASEAN power grid by 2045.
- Discussions are ongoing for cross-border carbon credit transfer under the Paris Agreement.
- Health ministries plan to collaborate on the training and reintegration of healthcare workers.
Philippines and Singapore are set to strengthen their collaboration in more areas, including renewable energy, sustainability, healthcare, and the development of civil service. These collaborations were announced jointly by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, at a joint press conference on June 4, 2023, on the first day of PM Wong's introductory visit to Manila.
“It is a partnership that has been carefully nurtured over the decades by successive generations of leaders and officials,” he said.
“It is built on a high degree of mutual trust and respect, and it has enabled mutually beneficial cooperation over a wide range of areas, for example, in trade and investments.”
On renewable energy, the two nations agreed to enhance both bilateral and regional cooperation and to ramp up efforts towards achieving the ASEAN power grid, which aims to connect the electricity networks of the group's 10 member countries and facilitate cross-border power trading by 2045.
PM Wong said Singapore companies are interested in the renewable energy sector in the Philippines, including solar and wind projects.
“Such projects can generate economic opportunities for the Philippines, while supporting the Philippines’ renewable energy targets,” he added.
Also Read:
On the sustainability agenda, the two countries have been working towards finalising an implementation agreement that will be legally binding and provide for cross-border carbon credit transfers that are consistent with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. The Paris Agreement governs the international collaboration to address climate change, and, among other things, allows countries to trade carbon credits to meet emissions and climate targets.
An implementation agreement would allow private sector involvement in carbon credit initiatives, which could drive technology transfer and green investment and create quality jobs, PM Wong said.
The two leaders also stated their respective health ministries are considering avenues to deepen health cooperation, including options related to upskilling and reintegrating returning Filipinos into the Philippine health system.
During their meetings, the leaders reaffirmed the excellent ties between the two countries, discussed regional and global developments, and highlighted efforts to strengthen cooperation towards a more resilient Asean, said Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement.