Singapore and UAE to start talks on economic pact, form joint energy task force

PUB said in response to queries that the 2018 pact has created opportunities for Singapore firms in Abu Dhabi. It cited engineering consultancy Meinhardt, which has offered water-related training and capability development, and water tech firm ZWEEC, which has applied its fish activity monitoring systems for real-time water quality monitoring.

PUB said the refreshed pact will expand collaboration into areas such as managing water resources and water demand and deploying innovative water technologies.

Under the pact’s widened scope, both sides will also cooperate on climate change mitigation and adaptation and joint research and innovation, while piloting and test-bedding innovative water technologies, among other initiatives, said PUB.

Both countries said in their joint statement that they are keen on exploring new opportunities to share knowledge and forge partnerships to develop and deploy sustainable and scalable water solutions.

Another deal was signed by Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) to exchange knowledge, technical expertise and operational insights on controlling vectors to safeguard public health. Vectors are organisms, such as mosquitoes, rodents and cockroaches, that transmit disease-carrying pathogens.

The deal will inform the ADPHC’s development and use of a method to suppress the Aedes aegypti mosquito population in Abu Dhabi called the incompatible insect technique, said NEA.

The collaboration will draw on NEA’s efforts to control the Aedes mosquito population in Singapore through Project Wolbachia, added the agency.

At the meeting, the two nations also agreed to explore cooperation in other areas, including defence, artificial intelligence and digitalisation.

On Oct 21, PM Wong was received by Sheikh Mohamed at the Qasr Al Watan, where he was welcomed with a ceremony. He was also hosted to lunch by Sheikh Mohamed.

In a social media post later that day, PM Wong said Singapore stands with the UAE as a trusted partner and friend during what has been a “difficult period” for the UAE and the wider Middle East.

He said he had spoken with Sheikh Mohamed to express the Republic’s solidarity with and support of the UAE soon after the Middle East conflict broke out in March, and thanked him for looking after Singaporeans in the Emirates.

Both leaders also exchanged views on regional developments and the importance of restoring peace and stability in the region, said PM Wong.

“In an increasingly troubled world, our partnership matters more than ever. By working together and combining our complementary strengths, we can achieve far more than either of us could on our own,” he added.

PM Wong said he looks forward to welcoming Sheikh Mohamed to Singapore for a state visit and working with him to enhance bilateral ties.

The two leaders also agreed to convene the fourth Singapore-UAE Joint Committee to review the progress of their comprehensive partnership, which was established in 2019, and identify new areas of cooperation.

In their joint statement, both countries said they also welcome the opportunity presented by Singapore’s upcoming chairmanship of ASEAN in 2027 and the third ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit to enhance cooperation between both regions.

This includes advancing discussions on a ASEAN-GCC free trade agreement, they said. The UAE is one of six members of the GCC.

Later on Oct 21, PM Wong travelled to Dubai, which is the final stop of his trip to the Middle East.

He is scheduled to meet UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

PM Wong is also set to attend a reception for overseas Singaporeans in Dubai before his trip ends on Oct 22.

The UAE is Singapore’s largest trading partner in the Middle East. In 2025, bilateral trade in goods hit $27.9 billion, and bilateral trade in services reached $12.8 billion in 2024.