S'pore and Uzbekistan sign MOU on public health protection

Photo: Among the problems that will be tackled is the Aral Sea crisis, which poses critical social and economic implications. 

SINGAPORE - The Singapore Environment Council (SEC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan to share best practices in spearheading environment and public health protection.

This collaboration is SEC's first ever with an overseas government-linked environmental organisation.

The MOU will set the framework for a unified vision of ecological safety in the international arena, the sharing of information and research on issues such as improving air and water quality, as well as the implementation of joint projects in a bid to mitigate the negative impact of human activities on the environment.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Singapore's Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr Masagos Zulkifli Bin Masagos Mohamad.

The strategic partnership is a step forward for Singapore to pursue environmental excellence as the largest environmental non-government organisation in Singapore, thereby enhancing the country's position as a 'green dot' in the business world, said SEC's Executive Director Mr Jose Raymond.

The MOU also seeks to develop bilateral relations and strengthen collaboration between the Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan and Singapore Environment Council.

The SEC will work with the Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan to share best practices and programmes which have been successfully implemented in Singapore to recognise environmental excellence.

These include the Singapore Green Labelling Scheme, the School's Green Audit Awards and Project: Eco-Office.

Under the agreement, cooperation between the SEC and Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan will also include the following:

>> Promoting collaboration to study and address regional as well as global ecological issues related to conservation and the effective use of natural resources with the aim to ensure ecological safety;
>> Improving mechanisms of implementation of public ecological control in the area of environment protection and sustainable use of nature;
>> Promoting further collaboration on improvement of environment and public health in ecological distress zones;
>> Protecting diversity and managing biological resources;
>> Protecting natural habitat and developing protected areas;
>> Promoting the use of environmentally sound renewable energy sources.

yamadak@sph.com.sg