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New York UN

SINGAPORE’S EXPLANATION OF VOTE ON A/C.1/78/L.39 “IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION ON THE PROHIBITION OF THE USE, STOCKPILING, PRODUCTION AND TRANSFER OF ANTI-PERSONNEL MINES AND ON THEIR DESTRUCTION” AND ON A/C.1/78/L.20 “IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION ON CLUSTER MUNITIONS” AT THE FIRST COMMITTEE, 78TH UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1 NOVEMBER 2023

1 November 2023

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Thank you, Chair.


I am taking the floor to explain Singapore’s votes in favour of the resolutions, L.39 “Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction” and L.20 “Implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions”, that have just been adopted.


2 Singapore has a longstanding and clear position on these two resolutions. We have traditionally voted in favour of the resolution “Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction”. We support all initiatives against the indiscriminate use of anti-personnel landmines. In May 1996, Singapore declared a two-year moratorium on the export of anti-personnel landmines without self-neutralising mechanisms. In February 1998, Singapore expanded the moratorium to include all manner of anti-personnel landmines, and extended the moratorium indefinitely.


3 Singapore also voted in favour of the resolution “Implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions”. Singapore supports initiatives against the indiscriminate use of cluster munitions, especially when directed at innocent civilians. It was for this reason that Singapore declared an indefinite moratorium in November 2008 on the export of cluster munitions.


4 Singapore also supports the work of the aforementioned Conventions by regularly attending the Meetings of States Parties to these Conventions. For instance, we will be participating in the 21st Meeting of States Parties to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention in November. At the same time, as a small State, Singapore firmly believes that the legitimate security concerns and the right to self-defence of any State cannot be disregarded. In that regard, a blanket ban on all types of cluster munitions and anti-personnel landmines may be counter-productive.


5 Singapore has and will continue to work with the international community to find a comprehensive and durable solution to address humanitarian concerns over the use of anti-personnel landmines and cluster munitions.


6 Thank you.


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