To improve bilateral cooperation on environmental management and climate protection, Singapore's Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU).

NOAA is a U.S. government agency that studies and reports on the ocean, atmosphere and coastal regions of the world.

The MOU was inked by Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, and Richard Spinrad, Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator.

The MOU will see both countries boost cooperation on a range of environmental and climate issues, such as climate monitoring and prediction, coastal science, earth observations for environmental monitoring, and heat resilience.

This also includes modelling to support coastal protection and flood resilience efforts.

Technical exchanges, sharing of information and joint publications and projects will be conducted between NOAA and MSE and its statutory boards, which include the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the national water agency PUB.

Fu said:

"Singapore and the U.S. enjoy longstanding cooperation on environmental sustainability, underpinned by a shared commitment to climate and environmental action. 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."

Referencing the record-breaking temperatures in 2023, Spinrad highlighted the 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 added.

Top photo from MSE