Indonesia and Singapore have formalized an agreement aimed at enhancing collaboration in nuclear security, radiation protection, and emergency preparedness as both nations continue to explore developments in nuclear and environmental sectors. This agreement was officially signed on June 30 in Jakarta by Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) and Indonesia’s Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency. The collaboration is set to concentrate on areas such as radiation monitoring, the establishment of regulatory policies, nuclear safety training, staff exchanges, research endeavors, and technical discussions.
Benjamin Koh, the Chief Executive of NEA, emphasized that this agreement seeks to build upon the longstanding cooperation between the two countries, supporting Singapore’s ongoing evaluation of nuclear energy as a potential component of its future energy strategy. The partnership also expands into nuclear applications beyond energy generation, exploring possibilities in healthcare and agriculture, alongside implementing nuclear security measures to safeguard facilities against potential threats and harmful activities.
Anticipating an assessment by the International Atomic Energy Agency in 2027, Singapore is preparing to determine its capability to make an informed decision regarding nuclear energy deployment. Meanwhile, Indonesia, which has a more established background in nuclear expertise, has set a target to achieve approximately 500 megawatts of nuclear capacity by the early 2030s. This collaboration aims to bolster regional cooperation through platforms such as the ASEAN Network of Regulatory Bodies on Atomic Energy, thereby enabling information sharing and enhancing preparedness for potential radiological emergencies.
Preceding this nuclear agreement, Singapore and Indonesia signed another environmental collaboration on June 29. This separate deal addresses various issues such as cross-border pollution, waste management, climate change, and improvements in air and water quality. Both countries’ officials also voiced concerns regarding the possible resurgence of the El Niño climate pattern. This phenomenon poses a risk of increased haze, drought conditions, and other environmental challenges throughout Southeast Asia.
