STATEMENT BY ANG JIA XI, DELEGATE TO THE 80TH UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AT THE CLUSTER THREE THEMATIC DEBATE ON OUTER SPACE: DISARMAMENT ASPECTS OF THE 80TH UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY FIRST COMMITTEE, 27 OCTOBER 2025

Thank you, Mr Chair,

Singapore aligns itself with the statements delivered by Laos on behalf of ASEAN, and by Indonesia on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Outer space capabilities provide critical tools that have real and tangible benefits for all States, from enabling the smooth running of our emergency and financial systems to monitoring climate change. Singapore has consistently adhered to a rules-based approach based on international law to ensure the responsible use of outer space by all parties. At the same time, States must also work together to reduce the risks of misunderstandings, miscalculations or unintended escalations, in the interest of preserving outer space as the province of all humankind.

Singapore would like to offer three additional points in our national capacity:

2 First, outer space should remain a peaceful global commons that is accessible to all humankind. No State should appropriate outer space by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means. We must continue to uphold a rules-based approach to outer space governance based on the application of international law, including the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and other relevant international law. Singapore supports practical approaches towards shaping a common framework for outer space security, whether through the development of norms of responsible behaviours in outer space or a legally-binding and verifiable instrument in the future. In Singapore’s view, both types of measures are complementary, and we encourage all States to engage in constructive conversations moving forward.

3 Second, we must take concrete steps to facilitate open and effective communication between spacefaring nations. We encourage all Member States to build on achieved consensus, such as the 2013 GGE on Transparency and Confidence-Building Measures in Outer Space Activities, and the 2024 GGE on Further Practical Measures for the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS). Singapore supports the conduct of outer space activities in a transparent manner, including in Proximity Operations, where advance notification should be provided to the extent practicable. While such operations may be conducted for peaceful purposes, they may be misinterpreted by others and lead to unintended escalations.

4 Third, discussions on outer space must be conducted in an inclusive manner. We welcome the progress made at the second substantive session of the OEWG on PAROS in all its aspects in July this year, in advancing to more substantive and constructive discussions. To do our part to foster broad and inclusive participation in discussions on outer space, Singapore, together with Australia and the UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific, also organised two virtual capacity building workshops for regional member states earlier this year which we hope will encourage greater participation from delegations in outer space security discussions.

5 To conclude, Singapore reaffirms our commitment to work constructively with all Member States on preserving outer space as a sustainable, secure and stable environment, for the benefit of humanity.

6 Thank you.