Abu dhabi: The 16th session of the Abu Dhabi-Singapore Joint Forum (ADSJF) convened in Abu Dhabi, attended by Co-Chairs Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority, and Dr Tan See Leng, Singapore's Minister-in-Charge of Energy and Science and Technology. The gathering served as a testament to the robust bilateral relations and Comprehensive Partnership between the UAE and Singapore.
According to Emirates News Agency, the UAE holds the position of Singapore's largest trading partner in the Middle East, with a total non-oil trade amounting to $5.2 billion in 2024. This figure underscores the substantial economic partnership between the two nations. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation in strategic areas such as healthcare, energy, technology, artificial intelligence, space, education, peaceful nuclear energy, and water scarcity.
The forum spotlighted a new collaboration in the energy sector, with TAQA Transmission and Singapore Energy Interconnections (SGEI) signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement aims to facilitate knowledge exchange in crucial areas such as power interconnections and renewable energy integration. It also opens avenues for exploring future business and investment opportunities.
Al Mubarak emphasized the forum's role as a critical platform for strengthening cooperation and exploring mutual interests between the UAE and Singapore. He noted that the discussions during the 2025 session highlight shared goals to build on longstanding ties and advance collaborations that support innovation and knowledge exchange across multiple fields.
Dr Tan See Leng expressed optimism about the growing economic partnership, noting the increasing presence of Singaporean companies in the UAE. He highlighted ongoing government-level discussions on new cooperation areas like genomics and energy, which will reinforce and diversify the collaboration between the two countries.
The forum also saw the participation of ambassadors, senior officials, and representatives from key government and private entities from both nations. This year marks the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the UAE and Singapore, a relationship built on a shared commitment to innovation and active trade and investment engagements.
Established in 2007, the Abu Dhabi-Singapore Joint Forum has played a significant role in fostering this partnership, offering a platform for both countries to advance and expand cooperation in sectors of mutual interest.