Chairman’s Message

(GRI 2-22)

In 2025, Singapore marked 60 years of independence. Our greening movement, which began in 1963, has run alongside the country’s development ever since: first making nature more accessible, and later transforming Singapore into a greener, more liveable city.

Today, NParks’ work spans nature reserves, nature parks, urban green spaces and the animals that share our island home. We advance conservation science, develop the companion animal sector, strengthen public health through biosurveillance and engage communities as active stewards of our environment. This work touches the lives of all residents. It is no wonder that generations of Singaporeans have deep appreciation of our greenery and this has intrinsically become part of our identity.

Celebrating Milestones

In the reporting year, NParks achieved several milestones. The Community in Bloom programme reached its 20th anniversary, a tribute to all our community gardeners across heartland estates, schools and organisations. The Singapore Botanic Gardens marked the 10th anniversary of its UNESCO World Heritage Site inscription, the 30th anniversary of the National Orchid Garden and the 150th anniversary of the Singapore Herbarium and Library of Botany and Horticulture. It has also begun its largest digitalisation effort to date, creating an online database of herbarium specimens to preserve these records and open them to researchers worldwide.

The Cat Management Framework completed its two-year transition period, with some 66,000 pet cats licensed and around 94% of them sterilised as of September 2026 when the two-year transition ended, a reflection of growing responsible pet ownership. We also established a Veterinary Council to uplift standards for veterinary professionals and safeguard animal health and welfare. Internationally, our Centre for Wildlife Forensics was designated a World Organisation for Animal Health Collaborating Centre in May 2025, strengthening Singapore’s standing in the global effort to combat illegal wildlife trade.

Nature For Wellness

Meaningful interaction with nature supports physical and mental well-being, and that evidence guides how we design and manage our green spaces. Under the Parks for Health Framework, we introduced 15 contemplative landscape sites, offering tranquil settings that encourage residents to pause and reflect. New green spaces, including King’s Road Park and the Punggol Heritage Trail, bring nature closer to residents.

Our park connectors and nature ways serve the wider ecosystem too. In the reporting year, we implemented 20 km of new Nature Ways, bringing the total to 260 km, and we added 3.86 km of park connectors, bringing the network to 424 km. Under the OneMillionTrees Movement, more than 855,000 trees had been planted, with continued focus on industrial estates to alleviate the urban heat island effect.

Research and technology make our work more efficient. For example, in wildlife trade enforcement, forensics technology now allows us to identify protected species with greater precision, supporting stronger action against smuggling. Additionally, a new S$15 million Biosurveillance Research Programme was established to enhance early detection of disease and advance our understanding of risks from changing weather patterns and cross-border movement of people, animals and vectors.

Meeting our Targets

Over time and with changing development needs, NParks’ work has grown. Land and resources remain constrained while residents’ expectations of our green spaces continue to evolve. The effects of climate change will also present new challenges for us. But the work that we do matters greatly and that is reason enough to press on and forward.

NParks is working to restore forest, marine and coastal habitats from 40 to 80 hectares by 2030, and to reach net zero emissions around 2045, five years ahead of the national target. Through the City in Nature Research Programme, we continue to study nature-based solutions to urban challenges. We also made significant progress towards achieving our GreenGov.SG targets. Taken together, these efforts demonstrate the contribution of NParks’ sustainability efforts to the City in Nature vision, strengthening our climate, ecological and social resilience.

Building a Greener City, Together

Creating a green, liveable city for the people, with the support of the community, is the purpose that drives NParks. Our programmes are shaped by residents’ input and sustained by community groups. This close cooperation is what I will recall most fondly from my tenure as Chairman of NParks.

I extend my deep appreciation to the Board, management and staff, to our sponsors, donors and partners, and to our volunteers, for working together towards a greener Singapore. The incoming chairman, Mr Chew Hock Yong, brings with him a wealth of experience and three decades of distinguished public service. I am confident that NParks will continue to fulfil its mission of transforming Singapore into a City in Nature under his stewardship.

Loh Khum YeanChairman, National Parks Board(till July 2026)

NParks aims to create the best living environment through nature conservation, greenery and recreation, as well as veterinary care. We do this in partnership with the community, so that together we make Singapore a greener and more liveable home.

With sustainability growing in importance, we have been enhancing our efforts in this area. This year, we are presenting our annual and sustainability performance in one combined document. This combined Annual and Sustainability Report 2025/2026 better reflects how our programmes align with a whole-of-government approach to sustainability, and how they impact residents’ lives.

NParks has greatly benefitted from the assured leadership of Mr Loh Khum Yean who guided the organisation to enhance Singapore’s positioning as a City in Nature, and strengthen the connectivity of our green spaces. His tenure also saw the rollout of the Cat Management Framework, the promotion of responsible pet ownership and the establishment of a Veterinary Council. On behalf of the Board, I thank him for his leadership.

I look forward to working with our officers, partners, volunteers and community groups, whose dedication and close collaboration make this work possible. Together, let us push on with our joint mission to create a greener, more endearing City in Nature for all.

Chew Hock YongChairman, National Parks Board(from August 2026)