Singapore and New Zealand signed the world's first legally binding bilateral supply-chain resilience agreement on the morning of May 4, 2026. The text — formally named the Singapore-New Zealand Agreement on Trade in Essential Supplies (AOTES) — was signed by Singapore's Minister-in-charge of Energy, Science and Technology Dr. Tan See Leng and his New Zealand counterpart Todd McClay at the two countries' annual leaders' meeting; the ceremony was witnessed by Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry said AOTES commits both countries not to impose unjustified export restrictions on agreed essential supplies, including food, fuel, healthcare and chemical products. The agreement also creates a framework for facilitating goods movement, sharing information and conducting consultations before or during supply-chain disruptions, designed to give businesses and consumers on both sides confidence and price stability through a crisis.
At the joint press conference, PM Lawrence Wong stressed that the pact is the first of its kind: "Even under strain, trusted partners will keep faith with one another. It means that even in times of crisis or shortages, we will keep essential goods flowing — food, fuel, and other critical supplies." Wong cautioned that countries can be tempted to look inward in difficult times but that "everyone ends up worse off because supply chains will break down." New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon illustrated the symbiotic relationship: about one-third of New Zealand's fuel is refined in Singapore, directly affecting New Zealand's economic resilience and energy security.
In return, New Zealand serves as a trusted supplier of food and other essentials to Singapore. Luxon said, "The diesel that we receive from Singapore underpins the farming and freight systems that keep New Zealand's food moving into the region. This is a relationship which both countries can rely on one another — we have each other's backs." AOTES will be incorporated into the ANZSCEP (New Zealand-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Partnership) free trade agreement; the two countries had agreed in principle in October 2025 under their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and the May 4, 2026 signature marks the legally binding end of that process.
Key Takeaways:
1. Singapore and New Zealand signed AOTES on May 4, 2026, the world's first legally binding bilateral supply-chain resilience agreement.
2. The pact bars unjustified export restrictions on agreed essential supplies including food, fuel, healthcare and chemicals, and sets a consultation and information-sharing framework for crises.
3. Signatures were placed by Ministers Tan See Leng and Todd McClay; the ceremony was witnessed by PMs Lawrence Wong and Christopher Luxon.
4. About one-third of New Zealand's fuel is refined in Singapore; in return, New Zealand is a trusted supplier of food and diesel to Singapore.
5. AOTES will be incorporated into the ANZSCEP free-trade agreement; the two countries had agreed in principle in October 2025 under their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
