About the Singapore-Germany Year of Innovation | 2026 – 2027

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany Dr Johann Wadephul jointly announced the launch of the Singapore-Germany Year of Innovation (YOI) on 2 February 2026 in Singapore. This announcement was made during Minister Wadephul’s introductory visit to Singapore.

The YOI builds on the elevation of Singapore-Germany relations to a Strategic Partnership in November 2024 and complements the Germany-Singapore Framework for Sustainability and Innovation. As strategic partners, Singapore and Germany recognise the value of innovation as a driver of economic growth, industrial competitiveness, and technological excellence. Innovation underpins our ability to respond to challenges in the evolving global landscape and to harness new opportunities together, for the mutual benefit of our countries and peoples. The YOI underscores Singapore and Germany’s joint commitment to inject fresh impetus into our collaboration in various sectors of mutual interest.

The YOI will initially focus on the following thematic areas:

1. Artificial Intelligence
2. Future Technologies (e.g., quantum, microelectronics, biotechnology)
3. Clean Technologies
4. Defence Technologies
5. Business and Start-Up Cooperation
6. Futureproofing our Workforces (including via upskilling and re-skilling)

More details on specific projects under the YOI will be announced in due course.

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Singapore-Germany Strategic Partnership

The Singapore-Germany Strategic Partnership was launched at the leaders-level on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil on 19 November 2024. The Strategic Partnership encompasses five pillars, namely: (a) Political, Defence, (Cyber) Security, and Intelligence Cooperation; (b) Trade, Investment, Transport, Digital; (c) Climate, Green Economy, Energy Transition; (d) Research Science, Tech, Innovation; and (e) Multilevel Cooperation for the Future.

Germany-Singapore Framework for Sustainability and Innovation

The Germany-Singapore Framework for Sustainability and Innovation was launched on the sidelines of the 17^th Asia-Pacific Conference (APK) for German Business on 13 November 2022. The FSI is aimed at structuring and deepening economic collaborations at the government-to-government, government-to-business and business-to-business levels. It also aims to promote private sector-led collaboration across various sectors.