Singapore Deepens Cooperation with China, Japan and Republic of Korea to Strengthen Food Security

1. Singapore strengthened its cooperation with the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) Plus Three Partners – China, Japan and the Republic of Korea – through the exchange and renewal of three bilateral agreements on the sidelines of the 48th AMAF Meeting, held in Singapore from 27 to 31 October 2026. The agreements will deepen collaboration in key areas such as sustainable agriculture and food systems, agricultural research and development, and smart farming.

2. Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations Ms Grace Fu said: “Food security is a shared challenge. The three agreements concluded are a testament to the strong collaboration between Singapore and our AMAF Plus Three Dialogue Partners. Singapore looks forward to complementing each other’s efforts to build resilient, sustainable, and innovative food systems.”

Exchange of Memorandum of Cooperation in the Agriculture and Food Sector between Singapore and Japan

3. On 29 October 2026, Minister Fu and Japan’s State Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Mr Fujiki Shinya, exchanged the renewed Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) in the Agriculture and Food Sector between Singapore’s Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) and Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).

4. The renewal of the MOC marks another milestone as the two countries commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year. It builds on the longstanding cooperation between Singapore and Japan, and follows the upgrade of bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership in March 2026. The renewed MOC will provide a framework for Singapore and Japan to strengthen cooperation in agriculture and food technologies, food security and emergency preparedness, and the international commerce of food.

5. Cooperation will take place through exchanging relevant information, expertise and best practices; facilitating research and development and exchanging new technologies; exchanging of key personnel; and encouraging partnerships between private companies and government authorities. The MOC also seeks to encourage closer links among environmental-related government agencies, companies, local authorities, and research and academic institutions in both countries.

6. The MOC has facilitated regular exchanges of knowledge and expertise between Singapore and Japan in areas covered under the agreement. These exchanges included sharing experiences and best practices in areas such as disease management, food stockpiling and emergency response planning.

Exchange of Letters for Renewal of Memorandum of Understanding on Agriculture and Food Security Cooperation between Singapore and China

7. On 30 October 2026, Minister Fu and China’s Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dr Zhang Zhili, exchanged letters to mark the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Agriculture and Food Security Cooperation between MSE and China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA). The MOU was first signed at the 19th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation in December 2023 and will be renewed for another three-year term. The MOU will continue to provide a framework for Singapore and China to collaborate in agricultural research and development, agri-trade, food security, and emergency preparedness.

8. The MOU has enabled regular exchanges of knowledge and expertise between MSE and MARA on agriculture and food security, including through the conduct of two meetings of the MSE–MARA Joint Working Group on Agricultural Cooperation (JWG). The JWG provides a platform for both sides to identify areas of cooperation and advance joint initiatives. The second JWG was held on 29 October 2026.

9. Under the auspices of the first MSE-MARA MOU, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) began engaging in technical exchanges, including agri-food research on the indoor speed breeding of leafy vegetables. Building on this foundation, SFA and CAAS signed a MOU on Agricultural Science and Technology Cooperation on 29 October at the second JWG. This MOU provides a dedicated framework to deepen cooperation in agricultural research and development.

Exchange of Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Smart Farming between Singapore and Republic of Korea

10. On 30 October 2026, Minister Fu and Republic of Korea’s Vice Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Mr Kim Jong-Gu, exchanged the MOU on Cooperation in the Field of Smart Farming between MSE and the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA).

11. The MOU builds on the longstanding cooperation between Singapore and the Republic of Korea and follows the upgrade of bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership in November 2025, when Singapore and the Republic of Korea commemorated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The MOU will provide a framework for Singapore and the Republic of Korea to promote cooperation in the field of smart farming, including technical and industrial cooperation, as well as exchanges to support improvements in productivity and resource efficiency.

12. Cooperation will take place through the establishment of a Joint Committee on Smart Farming. Co-chaired at the officials’ level, the Joint Committee will provide a platform for Singapore and the Republic of Korea to exchange information, views and expertise on smart farming.