STATEMENT BY MS BERENICE LOW, FIRST SECRETARY (POLITICAL), PERMANENT MISSION OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS AT THE GENERAL DEBATE OF THE 78TH UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY FIRST COMMITTEE, 3 OCTOBER 2023

Thank you, Mr Chair.

  Let me first congratulate you and the bureau members on your election and assure you of Singapore’s full support. Singapore aligns ourselves with the statements delivered by Indonesia on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, and by the Philippines on behalf of ASEAN, and would like to deliver the following remarks in our national capacity.

2 First, Singapore reaffirms our commitment to the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime, which has become even more vital in this time of conflict and deepening geopolitical tensions. It is therefore important that we uphold the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which is the cornerstone of the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime. We regret that NPT States Parties failed to adopt an outcome document for the second consecutive Review Conference in 2022. It was also disappointing that the First Session of the Preparatory Committee for the Eleventh NPT Review Conference held in Vienna two months ago was unable to make any substantive progress. We urge all NPT States Parties to redouble efforts in the ongoing NPT review cycle to achieve substantive and concrete outcomes. We also encourage countries outside of the ambit of the NPT to join – or rejoin – the NPT, to help build a more secure future for all.

3 The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) is also an indispensable element of the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime. We are encouraged that two Member States have ratified the CTBT this year, and by the commitments made by CTBT parties at the Article XIV Conference on 22 September 2023. However, the entry into force of the CTBT is long overdue. We once again call on all Member States that have yet to sign and ratify the CTBT, particularly the remaining eight Annex 2 countries, to do so without further delay.

4 Singapore also supports efforts to establish Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zones as concrete steps toward a nuclear-weapon-free world. Singapore remains committed to the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ). We welcome ASEAN’s continued dialogue with Nuclear Weapon States (NWS) to resolve all outstanding issues in accordance with the objectives and principles of the SEANWFZ Treaty, and for the NWS’ accession to the SEANWFZ Protocol without reservations.

5 While recognising that the primary responsibility for nuclear safety and security rests with States, Singapore emphasises that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) plays an essential role given its longstanding expertise in these fields. Singapore works closely with and thanks the IAEA for its support in developing our Integrated Nuclear Security Sustainability Plan (INSSP). As a Member of the IAEA’s Board of Governors, we will also continue supporting the IAEA’s efforts to fulfil its mandate. For instance, Singapore hosted a Regional Workshop on Conducting Transport Security Inspections for Asian Countries from 11 to 14 September 2023. The aim of the workshop was to enhance awareness of the importance of strong security inspection programmes for nuclear and radioactive material in transport, as well as developing participants’ capacity to conduct security inspections within their respective countries.

6 Second, Singapore supports the peaceful uses of outer space and underscores that the UN Charter and international law govern all activities in the exploration and use of outer space. Against the backdrop of a deteriorating international security environment and with the increasing number of satellites and operators, an open and inclusive international framework is imperative to ensure security and long-term sustainability in the use of outer space. We therefore welcome efforts in the UN such as the Open-Ended Working Group on Reducing Space Threats through Norms, Rules and Principles of Responsible Behaviours that recently concluded, although it was unfortunately unable to arrive at a consensus outcome. The discussions on norms, rules and principles have been valuable in moving us towards the crucial goal of preventing an arms race in outer space, and we look forward to these forming a basis for future discussions, including at the next Group of Governmental Experts on Further Practical Measures for the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (GGE on PAROS) established by General Assembly resolution 77/250. Singapore will continue to work constructively with other Member States to address current and future threats to and in space, and preserve outer space as a peaceful global commons.

7 Third, Singapore welcomes the UN’s leading role in the development of international cyber norms. Digital technologies have become part of everything that we do, whether for work or play. At the same time, the cyber threat level has risen substantially, with increasing novelty in the tactics and sophistication of threat actors. An open, secure, stable, accessible, peaceful and interoperable cyberspace is therefore an important enabler of economic progress and better living standards. As the only universal and inclusive forum for addressing cyber issues, the UN provides a platform for us to strengthen a rules-based multilateral order in cyberspace. Member States should redouble efforts to implement the agreed framework for responsible State behaviour in cyberspace. We look forward to working with Member States to implement the 11 voluntary, non-binding norms of responsible State behaviour in cyberspace, and in advancing coordinated cybersecurity capacity building initiatives that will strengthen States’ collective ability to address increasingly sophisticated threats in the cyber domain.

8 Singapore is honoured to contribute to this endeavour through our chairing of the UN Open-Ended Working Group on Security of and in the Use of Information and Communications Technologies 2021-2025 (OEWG). Singapore welcomes the consensus adoption of the second Annual Progress Report (APR) of the OEWG in July 2023, and looks forward to the implementation of the agreed recommendations in the APR, including the establishment of the Global Points of Contact directory. Singapore will continue to support and build on this work at the UN, including by convening the annual Singapore International Cyber Week each October, where we bring together both State and non-State stakeholders to deliberate and build common ground on key cyber issues.

Mr Chair,

9 In conclusion, Singapore will work constructively with you and with all Member States towards outcomes that can lay the foundation for providing current and future generations with a more peaceful, sustainable and prosperous future for all.

10 Thank you.

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