Qatar and Singapore are working towards a strategic partnership spanning trade, energy, artificial intelligence, security and sustainable development, which would make Qatar Singapore’s second strategic partner in the Middle East.
The development came during Singapore Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong’s official visit to Doha from 18 to 20 October, his first official visit to the Middle East since becoming prime minister.
The decision followed the ninth Qatar-Singapore High-Level Joint Committee meeting, co-chaired by Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Wong.
The meeting marked the first time the two countries’ leaders had co-chaired the committee in its 20-year history.
The strategic partnership is expected to be launched during Sheikh Tamim’s upcoming state visit to Singapore.
Technology, defence and regional security
Both sides identified artificial intelligence (AI), digitalisation and emerging technologies as potential pillars of bilateral cooperation, highlighting opportunities for collaboration in cybersecurity, digital government, research and development, and AI talent development.
The leaders also welcomed growing security cooperation, including in defence industry, maritime security and cybersecurity.
They cited a QAR 1.5 billion defence-services agreement signed between Qatar’s Barzan Holdings and Singapore’s ST Engineering in February 2026, and encouraged further collaboration in digital defence and maritime security.
On regional developments, the leaders expressed serious concern over the situation in the Middle East and commended Qatar’s diplomatic efforts to facilitate dialogue and de-escalation.
They also stressed the importance of upholding navigational rights and freedoms under international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, to ensure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains open, safe and secure.
Qatar-ASEAN ties
The two sides also pledged to strengthen cooperation between Qatar and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as between ASEAN and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
They welcomed Qatar’s status as an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner and called for continued efforts towards an ASEAN-GCC free-trade agreement during Singapore’s ASEAN chairmanship in 2027. They also looked forward to the third ASEAN-GCC Summit.
The committee’s 10th meeting will be held in Singapore at a mutually agreed date to be determined through diplomatic channels.will be held in Singapore on a date to be agreed through diplomatic channels.