United States-Singapore 7th Biennial Review Joint Communique

The Governments of the Republic of Singapore and the United States of America held a biennial review on 22 April 2022 under the Memorandum of Intent between the United States of America and the Republic of Singapore on Cooperation in Environmental Matters (MOI). The MOI was negotiated in parallel with the United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement Environment Chapter.  

The Republic of Singapore was represented by Ong Tze-Ch’in, Second Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment.  The United States was represented by Deputy Assistant Secretary for Environment John Thompson, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, U.S. Department of State.   

This bilateral meeting serves as an important opportunity to enhance and continue the robust and longstanding bilateral relationship and strategic partnership between the United States and Singapore, and highlight a shared commitment to environmental protection and the sustainable use of natural resources.  

The Governments reviewed accomplishments under the 7th Plan of Action (POA) for 2020 through 2021 for implementing the MOI. Officials discussed and reported on activities carried out under the POA, including collaboration to combat wildlife and timber trafficking as well as exchanges/activities on environmental policies such as specific air quality management topics, effective waste management systems and infectious disease transmission through environmental determinants.    

The Governments approved a new POA for 2022 through 2023. The new POA sets out technical exchanges and activities related to environmental protection and environmental health policies, and use of innovative environmental technology and pollution management techniques such as (i) national recycling strategy management and evaluation; (ii) circular economy approaches and technologies, including plastics recovery and sorting technologies; and (iii) contaminated land management and environment site assessment (ESA) framework.  

The Governments also held a public session for civil society stakeholders, which provided an opportunity for the public to participate in a discussion with government officials on the implementation of the MOI. 

The Singaporean delegation included representatives from the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maritime and Port Authority, National Environment Agency, National Parks Board, Singapore Food Agency, and PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency.  

The U.S. delegation included officials from the Department of State, the Office of the United States Trade Representative, the Department of Homeland Security (Customs and Border Protection), and the Environmental Protection Agency.