Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announce a new era in bilateral relations with the Joint Declaration on the Singapore-United Kingdom Strategic Partnership.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak convened on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi, India, culminating in the issuance of a Joint Declaration on September 9, 2023. This historic document signifies the elevation of bilateral relations between Singapore and the United Kingdom to the status of a Strategic Partnership.
The Strategic Partnership comprises five core pillars, covering Economic Cooperation, Defence, Security, Intelligence and Foreign Policy Cooperation, Climate, Sustainability, Green Economy and Energy Cooperation, Research, Science, Innovation, and Technology Cooperation, and Public Sector Cooperation. This wide-ranging accord is poised to unlock numerous opportunities for collaboration and deepen ties across various sectors.
Economic Cooperation takes center stage, with both nations committing to fortify their economic relationship. This includes maximizing the benefits of existing agreements, such as the United Kingdom-Singapore Free Trade Agreement and the Digital Economy Agreement. Additionally, negotiations on a Bilateral Investment Treaty are in progress to further bolster investment between the two nations.
In the realm of Defence, Security, Intelligence, and Foreign Policy Cooperation, the leaders emphasize their commitment to maintaining a stable and peaceful international order. This involves expanding bilateral defence cooperation, modernizing existing arrangements, and addressing digital and cyber threats through close collaboration.
The Climate, Sustainability, Green Economy, and Energy Cooperation pillar underscores the joint commitment to combat climate change and transition to a green economy. Both nations aim to support global climate action, promote economic growth in green sectors, and advance sustainable infrastructure and investment.
In the arena of Research, Science, Innovation, and Technology Cooperation, Singapore and the UK are poised to jointly tackle global challenges. This includes collaborative efforts in areas like Artificial Intelligence, Engineering Biology, and IoT security.
