Singapore and FAO sign food security deal

Singapore and United Nations’ agriculture agency have signed a new agreement to improve food security and climate change adaptation in Southeast Asia.

The deal between the city-state and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will focus on enhancing food security and nutrition in the region.

The agreement is the first to be signed between the two parties since Singapore (pictured) joined the FAO in 2013.

The move is aimed at combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, reducing food waste, making trade and agriculture more sustainable, and enhancing resilience to climate change to tackle animal and plant-related threats.

FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva said: “During my first official visit to Singapore last year, I was impressed by its innovative efforts to ensure food security and food safety…I see the value of sharing its good practices with other countries.”

The agreement includes sharing information, technical consultations, the deployment of experts across the region, as well as training, study visits, joint seminars and workshops.

Graziano da Silva added: “We look forward to strengthening cooperation with FAO on food security, as well as in related areas such as food safety, and animal and plant health,” said Singapore’s Minister of State Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman. “This is part of our continuing effort to boost Singapore’s food security, and demonstrates our commitment to contribute advance food security globally - particularly through Research and Development and technology development.”

The FAO and Singapore will also cooperate to develop effective food-related policies, creating agricultural research programmes, and introducing new technologies.

Singapore’s strong research and development capabilities are expected to complement the FAO’s expertise and strong regional connections.

Singapore is a leading nation on urban agricultural innovation and has introduced vertical farms and rooftop gardens to improve food security for its population of over 5 million people.

Graziano da Silva said: “I am confident that this agreement will further strengthen regional and global exchanges in the realm of food and agriculture, and it represents a major step for Singapore and FAO in the global development arena. We look forward to a growing partnership.”