Singapore and Australia signed a new Protocol on Economic Resilience and Essential Supplies during the 15th Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee (SAJMC) in Adelaide.
Singapore and Australia strengthened their strategic partnership during the 15th Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee (SAJMC), held in Adelaide on 27 July 2026, with the signing of the Protocol on Economic Resilience and Essential Supplies under the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA). The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation on energy security, essential supply chains, and economic resilience while ensuring trade continues during periods of disruption.
The Singapore delegation was led by Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, and Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology Dr Tan See Leng. They met with Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong, and Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell. The meeting also marked the 30th anniversary of the SAJMC, established in 1996 as the highest-level platform for bilateral cooperation on foreign affairs, defence, and trade.
Alongside the economic protocol, both countries also witnessed the signing of the Australia-Singapore Industrial Base Resiliency Arrangement, further strengthening cooperation between their defence industries and supporting more resilient supply chains.
Speaking at the joint press conference, Dr Tan said trust remained the cornerstone of the bilateral relationship. “Today’s signing of the Protocol on Economic Resilience and Essential Supplies… reaffirms our shared commitment to keeping essential goods flowing during times of disruption,” he said. He added that the agreement reflected the “deep reservoir of strategic trust” between the two countries and their shared commitment to keeping trade “open, reliable and resilient.”
Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles described the relationship as one underpinned by “deep strategic trust”, adding, “Today we are growing our already strong defence partnership even further by strengthening cooperation between our defence forces and our defence industries.”
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the Protocol would help both countries “respond together to disruptions and maintain access to the supplies our economies depend on,” while Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell described it as “an important step to ensure Australia has what it needs to keep moving in the face of global supply chain disruptions.”
Source: MFA Singapore
