Singapore and Indonesia Deepen Green Economy and Strategic Ties at Leaders’ Retreat

Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Asia

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Image Source: Fabian Koh

Singapore and Indonesia have reaffirmed their long-standing partnership and launched a new phase of cooperation in the green economy, during the 8th Singapore-Indonesia Leaders’ Retreat held on Monday at Parliament House.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, in their first retreat as heads of government, witnessed the signing of three key memoranda of understanding (MOUs) covering cross-border electricity trade, carbon capture and storage, and the development of a sustainable industrial zone. The agreements aim to support decarbonisation and reinforce shared goals for sustainable growth.

“We know that climate change will have an outsized impact on small island and archipelagic states like ours, but we can turn our vulnerabilities into opportunities,” said PM Wong during a joint press conference. “Working together, we can create new opportunities for growth while realising our green and sustainability goals.”

A Milestone Ceremony for Project Development was held to mark both nations' commitment to implementing the MOUs through practical collaboration. Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry said these projects will yield “win-win benefits” for both economies.

President Prabowo praised Singapore’s development model, saying he hopes to replicate elements of it in Indonesia, including housing policy and the sovereign wealth fund framework. He recalled his childhood years in Singapore and expressed admiration for the city-state’s leadership and success.

The retreat also resulted in the exchange of 19 bilateral deliverables across multiple sectors, including food safety, agricultural technology, energy efficiency, and carbon storage. The leaders also discussed collaboration in medical education, with President Prabowo inviting Singapore to support Indonesia’s plans to expand its health sector workforce.

Additionally, both sides pledged to enhance cooperation on skilled labor mobility, particularly in the placement of Indonesian caregivers in Singapore.

Regional and Global Outlook

On regional and global affairs, the leaders expressed concern over ongoing conflicts in Gaza and between Israel and Iran, calling for peaceful negotiations and an immediate ceasefire. Both also reaffirmed their support for a peaceful resolution in Myanmar and the strengthening of ASEAN’s role as a stabilizing force in the region.

Singapore also voiced strong support for Indonesia’s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a major regional trade pact.

“The world is undergoing profound change, but for nearly 60 years, Indonesia and Singapore have stood shoulder to shoulder as partners,” said PM Wong.

Deepening Bilateral Integration

The two leaders reviewed the implementation of the Expanded Framework Agreements on airspace management, defence, and extradition, which came into force in March 2024. Notably, the first extradition case under the new treaty is currently before Singaporean courts, highlighting the growing legal and law enforcement cooperation between the countries.

Singapore has remained Indonesia’s top foreign investor for more than a decade, accounting for over a third of total foreign investment into Indonesia last year. Enhanced connectivity and youth internship programs were also discussed as ways to promote people-to-people ties.

A Personal Tribute and Shared Future

During his state visit, President Prabowo received a ceremonial welcome and met with Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. In a symbolic gesture, a new orchid hybrid was named Paraphalanthe Dora Sigar Soemitro in honor of Prabowo’s late mother.

Reflecting on the growing partnership, President Tharman remarked at a state luncheon: “Under President Prabowo’s leadership, we are now making bold strides to push the frontiers of cooperation in the green economy, digitalisation, education, and more. There is much potential yet to be unlocked.”

With their shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and regional stability, both leaders emphasized that the Singapore-Indonesia partnership remains a model of bilateral cooperation in Southeast Asia.