|
SINGAPORE, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Singapore has joined the International Energy Agency (IEA) as an association country, Singapore's Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S Iswaran and Executive Director of IEA Fatih Birol jointly made the announcement on Monday.
As a regional energy hub in the heart of Southeast Asia, becoming an association country is particularly important for Singapore, said the country's Ministry of Trade and Industry and IEA in a joint statement.
As an IEA association country, Singapore will build on existing collaborations to partner IEA on two new initiatives: to host a new Singapore-IEA regional training hub for programs, and to host an annual Singapore-IEA Forum.
S Iswaran said becoming an association country will allow Singapore to further participate in the global energy dialogue, and keep abreast of new technical developments in the energy sector.
The minister also stressed Singapore fully supports the IEA's vision to expand its outreach to emerging economies, particularly in Asia.
"We look forward to a fruitful partnership with the IEA, underpinned by substantive activities for the benefit of all regional and international stakeholders," said S Iswaran.
Fatih Birol noted that Singapore is an important player both regionally and globally and has put in place strong policies to ensure secure, sustainable and competitive energy supply.
"We look forward to building even stronger ties between the IEA and Singapore, especially because it is in a strategic position to support the energy transition in Southeast Asia," he added.
Singapore is the fourth country to join the IEA under the association country initiative after China, Indonesia and Thailand became association countries in November 2015.
