STATEMENT BY MS BERENICE LOW, SECOND SECRETARY (POLITICAL), PERMANENT MISSION OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS AT THE GENERAL DEBATE OF THE 77TH UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY FIRST COMMITTEE, 7 OCTOBER 2022

Thank you, Mr Chair.

                        My delegation congratulates you and the bureau members on your election and assures you of Singapore’s full support for a productive session. We align ourselves with the statements delivered by Indonesia on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, and by Thailand on behalf of ASEAN.

2                      First, Singapore reaffirms the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as the cornerstone of the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime. The failure of the Tenth Review Conference of the Parties to the NPT to adopt a final document for the second consecutive time is disappointing. Member States must make a collective effort to make progress on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. We therefore urge all States Parties to redouble our efforts in the next NPT review cycle.

3                      Nevertheless, it is encouraging that six Member States have ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) in 2022 so far. We urge remaining Annex 2 countries to sign and ratify the CTBT. We also hope that long overdue progress can be made on a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty. We reaffirm our commitment to the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ), and look forward to continuing dialogue with Nuclear Weapon States on their accession to the SEANWFZ Protocol without reservations. We recognise the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as the sole competent global authority in ensuring nuclear safety, security, and safeguards, and as a Member of the Board of Governors, we reaffirm our commitment to working closely with the IAEA in the fulfilment of its mandate.    

4                      Second, Member States should fulfil obligations to curb the illicit trade and indiscriminate use of conventional weapons. Singapore welcomes the outcomes achieved at the Eighth Biennial Meeting of the States to Consider the Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, and looks forward to the establishment of a standing dedicated fellowship training programme on small arms and light weapons. We were glad to be part of the 2022 Group of Governmental Experts on the UN Register of Conventional Arms, which concluded its work in June. Singapore was also glad to have had the opportunity to be a co-convenor of an informal dialogue series on international cooperation and assistance on ammunition management, to support the work of the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on Conventional Ammunition.

5                      Third, the UN must continue to play a leading role in the development of international cyber norms, given its status as the only universal and inclusive forum for addressing such issues. Member States should redouble efforts to implement the 11 voluntary, non-binding norms which together with international law and Confidence Building Measures, constitute the cyber stability framework for responsible state behaviour in the use of information and communications technologies. Singapore is honoured to contribute to this effort through our role in chairing the UN OEWG on Security of and in the Use of Information and Communications Technologies (2021-2025). We were heartened by the consensus adoption of the OEWG’s first Annual Progress Report at its Third Substantive Session in July 2022, and hope that all Member States will continue to build on this foundation to make further progress at subsequent sessions of the OEWG. We welcome the agreement to establish a global, inter-governmental points of contact directory in the ICT domain. In August 2022, Singapore also organised the inaugural UN-Singapore Cyber Fellowship capacity-building programme in Singapore to equip senior officials from around the world with the inter-disciplinary expertise required to effectively oversee national cyber and digital security policy, strategy, and operations. This is our small contribution towards our common goal of an open, secure, stable and interoperable cyberspace.

6                      Fourth, Singapore reiterates our commitment to the use of outer space for peaceful purposes, and the centrality of international law in governing all activities in the exploration and use of outer space. We welcome all efforts to ensure the security and sustainability of this global commons. We also look forward to the joint panel discussion of the First and Fourth Committees on possible challenges to space security and sustainability on 27 October.

Mr Chair,

7                      Singapore looks forward to working with you and all Member States to achieve a successful outcome at the First Committee. Thank you.

.    .    .    .    .