Decision

4 October 2023: UK-Singapore TSD Board minute

Updated 16 April 2024

Joint Statement on the first meeting of the Board on Trade and Sustainable Development

4 October 2023 virtually in Singapore and UK

On 4 October 2023, the governments of the United Kingdom and Singapore held the first meeting of the Board on Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) under the UK-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (UKSFTA). The meeting was hosted by the UK via video-conference. The following Joint Statement presents the discussions of this TSD Board meeting for the benefit of participants in the UK-Singapore Public Stakeholders’ Forum.

During the opening discussion on Institutional Mechanisms, the UK and Singapore provided updates on the establishment and functions of their respective Domestic Advisory Groups (DAGs).

Parties expressed a keenness to facilitate the Public Stakeholders’ Forum and exchanged views on their approaches to running the Forum. Parties also recognised the importance of DAG-to-DAG engagement in supporting the implementation of the TSD Chapter.

Both countries agreed to exchange their standing lists of possible individuals who may be called upon to serve on the Panel of Experts, should either Party request for a Panel of Experts to be established. Having shared a working understanding of how the TSD Board would operate, both countries also agreed to apply the working principles of the Trade Committee Rules of Procedure as guiding principles in organising the TSD Board.

On the Trade and Environment agenda item, Parties presented updates on their domestic institutional set-up and national policies aimed at achieving sustainable development objectives. The UK updated on topics including Sustainable Forestry, Sustainable Fishing, Biodiversity and Trade and Net Zero.

The UK also updated on its actions internationally, such as its accession to CPTPP, its signing of FTAs with Australia and New Zealand, and its work to co-facilitate talks on Environmental Goods and Services (EGS) at the World Trade Organization’s (WTO’s) Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions (TESSD). The UK also updated on progress and goals related to offshore wind, solar power and hydrogen technology development.

Singapore updated on their Singapore Green Plan 2030 and their biodiversity strategies. The Green Plan is a whole-of-nation sustainability agenda that is an expansive and multi-sectoral effort to advance towards Singapore’s net-zero emissions goal by 2050, covering how they live, play, work, commute, and more. Like the UK, Singapore is developing national targets based on the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. 

Singapore also presented on their approach to Green Economy Agreements (GEAs). These are designed to foster international cooperation in the low-carbon economy, and can for instance increase the spread and adoption of EGS, reduce regulatory burdens and operating costs for business, promote green technology development, and support growth and job creation in green sectors. The UK noted this and also looked forward to continued collaboration with Singapore under the UK-Singapore Green Economy Framework.

The UK updated on recent EGS discussions at the WTO, particularly within the TESSD forum. It explained its recent use of value chain analysis to help provide a conceptual framework for EGS. The UK and Singapore welcomed the recent success of the TESSD EGS working group in focusing on renewable energy and noted that future conversations could consider the agri-tech and water sectors. The UK and Singapore agreed to hold further informal discussions amongst like-minded partners on EGS at the WTO.

During the Discussion on Trade and Labour, the UK and Singapore addressed developments regarding the ratification and implementation of International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions. The UK noted its recent ratification of Convention 190 (Violence and Harassment) in March 2022 in addition to domestic legislative changes, such as the increase to the National Living Wage and the government’s support for 6 Private Members’ Bills to become law: helping new parents, unpaid carers, hospitality workers, giving all employees easier access to flexible working and giving workers a right to request a more predictable working pattern.  

Singapore presented an overview of their efforts which support the objectives of the ILO’s fundamental conventions. These included their efforts to tackle forced labour, child labour, and human trafficking as well as how they are improving worker safety, ensuring the freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining. Singapore’s presentation also included measures aimed at increasing labour force participation amongst women and the elderly and creating employment opportunities for people with disabilities. They also updated the UK, including in response to UK queries on their new legislation to prohibit workplace discrimination and on how migrant workers are factored into the implementation of their labour laws.

Both Parties concluded by welcoming the constructive discussions at the first meeting of the UK-Singapore Board on Trade and Sustainable Development, recognising the value of this exchange as the start of a long and positive relationship under the TSD Chapter.

UK-Singapore Committee on Trade and Sustainable Development 4 October 2023 agenda

UK time 09:00-11:30 and 16:00-18:30 Singapore time on Microsoft Teams

Number	Agenda item
1	Greetings and opening remarks
2	Institutional Mechanisms
3	Session on Trade and Environment
4	Discussion on Environmental Goods and Services
5	Session on Trade and Labour
6	Actions and next steps
7	Closing remarks