Singapore hosts 9th annual meeting of Brunei-Singapore cooperation on the environment

SINGAPORE - The ninth meeting of Brunei-Singapore Cooperation on the Environment under the Annual Exchange of Visits, instituted by the 2005 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Bilateral Partnership in Environmental Affairs, was held in Singapore on Wed (Mar 18), said the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources as well as Brunei Darussalam's Ministry of Development in a joint press statement.

Brunei Darussalam and Singapore renewed their MOU on the environment, and exchanged views on a wide range of environmental issues.

The Brunei Darussalam delegation was led by the Honourable Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman, Minister of Development, and comprised Awang Haji Muhammad Lutfi bin Abdullah, Permanent Secretary (Administration & Finance) and other senior officials from the Ministry of Development and Ministry of Education.

Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Dr Vivian Balakrishnan led the Singapore delegation, comprising Permanent Secretary Mr Choi Shing Kwok and other senior officials from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, National Environment Agency as well as Singapore's National Water Agency, PUB.

To reaffirm their commitment to deepen co-operation and foster continual progress in the strong relationship between Brunei Darussalam and Singapore in the environmental and water arena, the Ministers renewed the MOU on Bilateral Partnership in Environmental Affairs between the two Ministries.

The MOU provides a formal framework for the two countries to further strengthen environmental collaboration in the fields of environmental protection and management, and sustainable development.

The Ministers then reviewed the progress of activities in the existing areas of co-operation between the two countries and exchanged views on solid waste management, air quality management, water resources management as well as environmental youth exchange programmes.

The Ministers endorsed the continued collaboration in waste management by both countries, especially the exchange of experiences in the area of 3R (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) initiatives.

The Ministers welcomed the exchange on air quality reporting systems and sharing of experiences in public outreach programmes and also supported the participation of their youths in each other's youth environmental programmes, to deepen people-to people ties and build capacity.

The Ministers noted that both nations have strengthened their exchanges in water resources management by organising study visits to share on the knowledge and experiences in the management of stormwater, drinking water supply and used water.

Singapore and Brunei Darussalam will continue to build on the close relationship and collaboration in knowledge sharing so as to overcome future challenges in water resources management.

The delegates also participated in friendly games organised after the 9th Brunei-Singapore Annual Exchange of Visits.

Brunei Darussalam will host the 10th Brunei-Singapore Annual Exchange of Visits in 2016.

ssandrea@sph.com.sg