As a response to the devastating effects of the climate crisis on agricultural yields, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government of the Republic of Singapore are strengthening their collaboration under their existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which was first signed in 2015 and renewed for the second time in 2021
The enhanced collaboration will entail Singapore sharing high-resolution climate projections data over the entire Southeast Asian region for incorporation into FAO’s climate risk assessment tools. These climate projections are part of Singapore’s third edition of its National Climate Change Study, which downscales the World Climate Research Programme’s global climate models used in the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report and is slated for completion in late 2023.
FAO and Singapore will also explore joint workshops to support assessments of climate change risks to agriculture in the region. This collaboration will strengthen the FAO’s ongoing efforts to address the impacts of the climate crisis in their agrifood systems and the implementation of the Paris Agreement through enhanced climate services for the agrifood sector.
“We are delighted to deepen our partnership with FAO through this collaboration. We hope that by availing accurate climate science data and encouraging partner countries to use FAO’s tools, users of these tools in Southeast Asia will be able to conduct more detailed assessment of the impact of climate change on their agricultural systems and food production at the national level,” said Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Koh Poh Koon. “It is our aspiration that the information would empower timely, accurate and effective adaptation efforts and policies to safeguard the region’s food resilience.”
FAO Director-General QU, Dongyu commented, “This is an important joint effort that can strengthen agrifood systems resilience across Southeast Asia to address a changing climate. Through national strategies and programmes, those will enable countries in the region to improve the evidence base of their agrifood systems’ vulnerability to the impacts of the climate crisis. FAO appreciates the contribution by Singapore and is fully committed to supporting implementation of the joint projects in the region.”
