STATEMENT BY MR MATTHEW WONG, SECOND SECRETARY OF THE PERMANENT MISSION OF SINGAPORE, AT THE 77TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY FIRST COMMITTEE THEMATIC DISCUSSION ON CLUSTER FOUR: CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS, 20 OCTOBER 2022

Thank you, Mr Chairman.

Singapore aligns itself with the statements delivered by Indonesia on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and by Cambodia on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). I add three points in our national capacity.

2 First, Singapore fully supports the work of the United Nations to curb the illicit arms trade and prevent the indiscriminate use of conventional arms. We must urgently address the widespread availability, misuse, diversion and illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and their ammunition which threaten global peace and security. We therefore welcome the consensus outcome document of the Eighth Biennial Meeting of 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 (PoA), adopted in July 2022. We will also continue to participate actively in the work of the Open-Ended Working Group on Conventional Ammunition (OEWG), and look forward to the third substantive session of the OEWG in February 2023.

3 Singapore maintains a robust export control regime, aligned with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, which we review regularly to maintain its currency. As a global shipping hub, Singapore adopts a rigorous approach to curb illicit arms flow by regulating the export, transhipment, and transit of strategic goods. We also actively contribute to multilateral counter-proliferation initiatives such as the Proliferation Security Initiative.  

4 Second, Singapore will continue supporting global efforts to promote transparency and establish common international standards in the conventional arms trade. We have regularly submitted national reports to the UN Register of Conventional Arms (UNROCA) since 1993. We were also honoured to contribute to the work of the 2019 and 2022 Groups of Governmental Experts (GGE) on the UNROCA, the latter of which concluded its work in June 2022. Singapore welcomes the 2022 GGE’s recommendations to ensure the continued relevance of this important transparency and confidence-building instrument.

5 Third, Singapore supports international initiatives against the indiscriminate use of anti-personnel landmines, cluster munitions and conventional weapons, and recognises the adverse humanitarian impact such weapons can have on innocent civilians. Singapore has imposed an indefinite moratorium on the export of anti-personnel landmines and cluster munitions. We also support relevant UN resolutions and international initiatives under the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the use of Certain Conventional Weapons, the Ottawa Convention, and the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

Mr Chairman,

6 It is vital that States fulfil their legal and international obligations with regard to the transfer of arms. A balance must also be struck with the legitimate security concerns and the right to self-defence of any State. Singapore therefore reaffirms the sovereign right of States to acquire arms for legitimate defence and responsible law enforcement purposes. Singapore reiterates our commitment to working with the international community to prevent the unauthorised diversion and illicit trade of conventional weapons and stands ready to work constructively with fellow Member States towards our common goal of a safer and more secure world for all.

7 Thank you, Mr Chairman.

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