Press Release
September 27, 2024
- Global Environment
Results of the 8th Japan-Singapore Environmental Policy Dialogue
１．The Ministry of the Environment (MOE), Japan, and the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, Republic of Singapore held the 8th Japan-Singapore Environmental Policy Dialogue in Singapore on September 12, 2024.
２．During the dialogue, both countries exchanged views on policy developments and challenges in regard to the circular economy and waste management, air pollution and noise management, plastic pollution, Japan-ASEAN cooperation, climate change and other environmental issues, and confirmed continued bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
２．During the dialogue, both countries exchanged views on policy developments and challenges in regard to the circular economy and waste management, air pollution and noise management, plastic pollution, Japan-ASEAN cooperation, climate change and other environmental issues, and confirmed continued bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
■ Background
In 2014, MOE Japan signed the Letter of Intent on Environmental Cooperation with the National Environment Agency (NEA), Republic of Singapore, and in 2017, signed the Memorandum of Cooperation on Environmental Matters with the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources of Singapore (currently known as Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment of Singapore) to expand the scope of the cooperation. Since the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation with the NEA, the two countries have held regular policy dialogues.
■ Outline
(1) Date and time
September 12, 2024, 13:30-18:30 (Singapore time) / 14:30-19:30 (Japan time)
(2) Venue
Republic of Singapore (also held online)
(3) Primary attendees
(Singapore)
Mr. Stanley Loh, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment
Mr. Ananda Ram Bhaskar, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, National Environment Agency
(MOE Japan)
MATSUZAWA Yutaka, Vice-Minister for Global Environmental Affairs
SUGA Yoshinori, Director for Sustainable Infrastructure
September 12, 2024, 13:30-18:30 (Singapore time) / 14:30-19:30 (Japan time)
(2) Venue
Republic of Singapore (also held online)
(3) Primary attendees
(Singapore)
Mr. Stanley Loh, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment
Mr. Ananda Ram Bhaskar, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, National Environment Agency
(MOE Japan)
MATSUZAWA Yutaka, Vice-Minister for Global Environmental Affairs
SUGA Yoshinori, Director for Sustainable Infrastructure
■ Main discussion
The two countries exchanged views on policy developments and challenges in both countries. In regard to Japan-ASEAN cooperation, the two countries confirmed their intention to enhance cooperation between Japan and Singapore, the current ASEAN Country Coordinator for Japan, and discuss concrete initiatives to resolve environmental issues in the ASEAN region.
Summary of discussions in each area is as follows:
(1) Circular Economy and Waste Management
Japan introduced the Act on the Promotion of Sorted Collection and Recycling of Containers and Packaging which includes Extended Producer Responsibility, the 5th Fundamental Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society, and Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific. Singapore introduced their intitiatives for the circular economy. The two countries then exchanged views on issues for waste management and resource recycling, and confirmed that they would continue further discussions on establishing a circular economy and society in the ASEAN region.
(2) Air Pollution and Noise Management
The two countries exchanged information on air pollution countermeasures, air pollutant monitoring and construction noise regulations, including measures for residential areas adjacent to factories and construction. They confirmed continued discussion on more effective monitoring methods.
(3) International Cooperation
・Plastic Pollution
The two countries exchanged views on the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution and confirmed continued cooperation. Japan introduced its plastic pollution monitoring methods, and the two countries exchanged views on future cooperation.
・Japan-ASEAN Cooperation
The two countries confirmed the progress of Japan-ASEAN cooperation, including the Partnership to Strengthen Transparency for co-Innovation (PaSTI) and the Strategic Program for ASEAN Climate and Environment (SPACE), and exchanged views on future Japan-ASEAN cooperation. They confirmed continued discussion on concrete cooperation for PaSTI, carbon markets, resource circulation, climate change adaptation, and pollution control.
(4) Climate Change
Both countries introduced their policies and developments related to carbon markets and confirmed continued exchange of views on the issue.
Summary of discussions in each area is as follows:
(1) Circular Economy and Waste Management
Japan introduced the Act on the Promotion of Sorted Collection and Recycling of Containers and Packaging which includes Extended Producer Responsibility, the 5th Fundamental Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society, and Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific. Singapore introduced their intitiatives for the circular economy. The two countries then exchanged views on issues for waste management and resource recycling, and confirmed that they would continue further discussions on establishing a circular economy and society in the ASEAN region.
(2) Air Pollution and Noise Management
The two countries exchanged information on air pollution countermeasures, air pollutant monitoring and construction noise regulations, including measures for residential areas adjacent to factories and construction. They confirmed continued discussion on more effective monitoring methods.
(3) International Cooperation
・Plastic Pollution
The two countries exchanged views on the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution and confirmed continued cooperation. Japan introduced its plastic pollution monitoring methods, and the two countries exchanged views on future cooperation.
・Japan-ASEAN Cooperation
The two countries confirmed the progress of Japan-ASEAN cooperation, including the Partnership to Strengthen Transparency for co-Innovation (PaSTI) and the Strategic Program for ASEAN Climate and Environment (SPACE), and exchanged views on future Japan-ASEAN cooperation. They confirmed continued discussion on concrete cooperation for PaSTI, carbon markets, resource circulation, climate change adaptation, and pollution control.
(4) Climate Change
Both countries introduced their policies and developments related to carbon markets and confirmed continued exchange of views on the issue.