SINGAPORE: Singapore and the US will explore ways to revive international air travel safely amid COVID-19, including the use of vaccination certificates.
Singapore’s Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung had an introductory virtual meeting together with his US counterpart Pete Buttigieg on April 8, during which they mentioned several points including recovery from the pandemic and climate change.
Each Mr. Ong and Mr. Buttigieg “recognize the impact of transportation on climate change”, and the “essential position” it should play in driving financial restoration, keeping goods and supply chains moving, and facilitating people-to-people exchanges.
“Building on the excellent co-operation established over the years by the technology agencies and officers on each side, they intend to strengthen and deepen bilateral exchanges between Singapore and the US across all transport sectors,” mentioned Singapore’s Ministry of Transport and the US Department of Transportation in a joint statement.
Besides exploring ways to revive international air travel and long-term post-pandemic recovery and resiliency, the nations agreed to continue to cooperate on enhancing safety, security, and facilitation.
They will exchange best practices on urban transport and intelligent transport systems, and explore opportunities to advance digitalization and “harness the potential of automation”, mentioned the joint statement..
“Both sides intend to also strengthen co-operation at the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) and International Maritime Organization (IMO), to keep aviation and maritime transport open, efficient, reliable, safe, sustainable, and resilient, in a manner consistent with applicable international law, and in close consultation with industry and other stakeholders,” mentioned the joint statement.
At the ICAO, this includes engaging in processes to advance a new long-term goal to decarbonize the aviation sector and encouraging full participation within the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation.
At the IMO, they will also aim to reduce emissions from ships and plan to work towards “at least achieving the ambition” to halve emissions from vessels by 2050 compared to 2008 levels, as well as exploring ways to “strengthen the levels of ambition”.
“We will continue our engagement at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, specifically through the Transportation Working Group and Transport Ministers’ Meetings, supporting the goals of the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040 and advancing the group’s efforts on climate, innovation, and digitization,” mentioned the joint statement.
