The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea remains one of the landmark achievements of the international community. Enshrined within the Convention are finely balanced compromises and carefully crafted provisions designed to ensure the harmonious usage of our oceans and seas. It has se…
While the global economic crisis has been and remains a major challenge for all of us, it would appear that the eye of the storm has passed. The global economy is expanding again and financial conditions have improved markedly. Major economies are also beginning to study how and when to wind down th…
By joining the report of the Security Council (A/64/2) with the issue of Security Council reform, today’s debate can be seen as an assessment of the Council’s work, as well as of the areas that require improvement. Singapore commends the Council for the preparation of a report that gives a factual a…
Let me first thank the President of the General Assembly for convening this debate, and the Secretary-General for his continuing commitment to the concept of the responsibility to protect (R2P).
I will not belabour the points already made so eloquently by my colleagues. Suffice it to say that, for …
I have the honour to speak on agenda item 70 (a), “Oceans and the law of the sea”. As a coastal State with significant maritime interests, Singapore relies on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as the principal framework to ensure the freedom of navigation of ships in the major inte…
The annual report of the Security Council that we have before us (A/63/2)
provides a good overview of the scope and volume of issues dealt with by the Council in the past year. We would like to commend Viet Nam for its consultative efforts in drafting the expanded introductory section of the report…
Globalization has connected us all together more closely than ever before. All over the world, people of different religions now live and work together in mixed societies. Diversity is a byword both religious and cultural, which in turn raises important questions about how religions and cultures can…
Allow me to first thank the Secretary-General and the Secretariat for the report on cooperation between the United Nations and regional and other organizations (A/63/228). We would also like to associate ourselves with the statement made by Thailand on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Na…
Climate change is the global environmental challenge of our time. As a small island, Singapore is vulnerable to the effects of climate change. We are taking immediate steps to address that challenge, but climate change is a global issue that requires solutions and action at the global level. The wor…
It is my honour to inform the Assembly that after the meeting of the Committee, in addition to the Member States listed in paragraph 5 of the report of the Credentials Committee for the sixty- second session of the General Assembly, credentials have been duly submitted under rule 27 of the rules of …
I listened carefully to what my good friend the representative of Australia just said in his statement in exercise of the right of reply. I must say that my delegation disagrees with many of his assertions. For example, he argued that compulsory pilotage and what Australia is doing are consistent wi…
I have the honour to speak on agenda item 77 (a), “Oceans and the law of the sea”. Singapore is an island nation with significant maritime interests. A large part of our environment
consists of marine and coastal areas. Our economy depends heavily on international shipping and trade. Singapore sees…
I would like to thank Ambassador Ibrahim Gambari for his briefing.
Singapore is currently the Chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). We are, however, making this statement in our national capacity.
At the last meeting of the Security Council to discuss the situation in Mya…
As a neighbour of Myanmar and a fellow member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), it is with a heavy heart that we speak today. Recent events in Myanmar cannot be overlooked or ignored, even by Myanmar’s friends and neighbours.
That is why, on 27 September, we issued a statement …
On behalf of the Group of Asian States, allow me to offer some words of condolence on the demise of Mr. Kurt Waldheim, who passed away yesterday at the age of 88. Mr. Waldheim was the fourth Secretary-General of the United Nations, succeeding U Thant. Mr. Waldheim served two terms — from 1972 to 198…
Let me begin by thanking the Secretary-General for his detailed report (S/2007/50) on the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT). I would also like to thank Mr. Atul Khare, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Timor-Leste, for his comprehensive briefing to the Securi…
Our debates on the Security Council are often tinged with tension and frustration. Non-Council members lament their exclusion from decision-making and the opacity of the Council. Council members feel hectored and under- appreciated for the significant responsibilities that they take on. We are not c…
Despite perceptions to the contrary, we witnessed a number of significant United Nations reforms this year. The Peacebuilding Commission, the Human Rights Council and the Central Emergency Response Fund were established. A whistle-blower protection system and an ethics office have been initiated. Re…
Let me first thank Special Envoy Ian Martin for his update on the situation in Timor-Leste. I also join other speakers in commending the troops and police from Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand and Portugal for their assistance to Timor-Leste during this difficult period.
About five weeks ago, we de…
Voltaire once said, “Work keeps away those three great evils: boredom, vice and poverty”. So perhaps we should be grateful that the discussions on the Human Rights Council have taken this long. But, as they say, all good things must come to an end. And many of us here are glad for it.
We have been …
