Singapore opens research centre to fight rising sea levels

Singapore launched the Coastal Protection and Flood Resilience Institute (CFI) on September 7 to find long-term solutions to protect it from the rise in sea levels from climate change that can put the country’s low-lying land at risk of inundation, according to Reuters.

The new institute aims to bring in expertise and innovation to head off what government officials describe as the “existential threat” posed by rising sea levels.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Environment Minister Grace Fu stressed that if the country does not handle the matter well, lives of Singaporeans are at stake, adding rising sea levels is increasing at a rate of around 3-4 milimetres a year.

Singapore opens research centre to fight rising sea levels -0
Photo: Reuters 

        
Singapore has invested heavily to improve drainage and built flood prevention infrastructure, including seawalls, tidal gates, and revetments to protect against erosion. It also launched a 5 billion SGD (3.66 billion USD) coastal and flood protection fund in 2020.
      
CFI Singapore, a joint initiative by PUB, Singapore’s water agency, and the National University of Singapore, has already launched research projects looking at new engineering possibilities like flexible seawalls as well as nature-based solutions using mangroves or seagrass to protect coastlines.
          
Experts said the bottom line for Singapore is to ensure that none of the country’s land would be lost to rising sea levels. Future land

World

RoK pins high hope on FTA with Philippines
World

RoK pins high hope on FTA with Philippines

The Republic of Korea (RoK)'s Minister of of Trade, Industry and Energy Cheong In-kyo on December 26 said that the RoK-Philippines free trade agreement (FTA), set to take effect next week, will help the country further bolster its trade portfolio and contribute to maintaining a stable supply chain.

Philippines intensifies crackdown on illegal gamers
World

Philippines intensifies crackdown on illegal gamers

Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos on December 12 ordered the police and law enforcement agencies to intensify the crackdown on illegal gaming and cyber cam hubs that continue to operate despite the ban, which will take effect by the end of December, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said.

Malaysia eyes to become global medtech hub
World

Malaysia eyes to become global medtech hub

Malaysia is on track to become a global medical technology (medtech) hub with its strong policies in attracting and executing the right investments, including the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030), said Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.