On April 15, 2024, Singapore and the United States bolstered their collaboration on environmental and climate issues through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU). This agreement aims to address various pressing topics, including climate monitoring and prediction, coastal science, and enhancing flood resilience.

The MOU was formalized in Singapore by Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu and US Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere Richard Spinrad. It emphasizes cooperation on critical aspects such as modeling for coastal protection, earth observations for environmental monitoring, and strategies for heat resilience.

Minister Fu highlighted the longstanding cooperation between the two nations on environmental sustainability, expressing optimism for the future. “This MOU will provide more opportunities for such cooperation, and we look forward to working closely with NOAA to support our efforts in preparing for climate change,” she stated.

Dr. Spinrad, also the administrator of NOAA, underscored the urgency of collaborative efforts to tackle the challenges posed by a changing climate, especially following what has been described as the hottest year on record globally. “We need to work collaboratively to address the impacts of our changing climate. We look forward to sharing some of our successes and to learning from each other,” he remarked.

Through this MOU, both countries aim to facilitate technical exchanges, share information, and produce joint publications and projects, enhancing their joint capabilities in tackling climate-related challenges. The agreement represents a significant step in their commitment to addressing environmental sustainability and resilience in the face of climate change.