The agreement, described by Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong as the first of its kind, was announced during his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon’s visit to the city-state, and includes a pact to keep essential supplies moving during crises. The two sides also pledged to strengthen cooperation in critical areas like healthcare and food supply.

“Even in times of crisis or shortages, we will keep essential goods flowing — food, fuel and other critical supplies,” Wong said during a joint press conference. “We will not shut each other out.”

The moves come as countries across Asia and beyond step up coordination to mitigate the impact of supply disruptions reverberating from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has strained energy shipping routes and driven up costs globally. Singapore earlier this month made similar commitments on fuel supplies with Australia, while seeking new sources of natural gas beyond the Middle East.

About a third of New Zealand’s fuel is refined in Singapore, Luxon said during the press conference. “So what happens here has a direct bearing on New Zealand’s economic resilience and energy security,” he said.

Wong said it’s possible the energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz remain limited until at least the end of year.

Beyond supply chains, Singapore and New Zealand previously outlined plans to deepen economic ties under a comprehensive strategic partnership signed in October, which includes exploring a green economy partnership linking trade and climate goals and expanding investment and capital markets cooperation.

The two sides have also pledged to broaden defense cooperation, including in emerging areas such as unmanned technologies.