STATEMENT BY MS BERENICE LOW, FIRST SECRETARY (POLITICAL), PERMANENT MISSION OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS AT THE GENERAL DEBATE OF THE 79TH UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY FIRST COMMITTEE, 10 OCTOBER 2024

Thank you, Madam Chair, 

This is the first time in the history of the United Nations (un) that a woman has been elected to chair the important work of the First Committee.  It gives my delegation even greater pleasure that the Chair comes from Costa Rica, a small state that is deeply committed to multilateralism and to the work of the un in the field of disarmament. Our heartiest congratulations to you and also to the Bureau members on your election. Singapore aligns itself with the NAM and ASEAN statements delivered respectively by Indonesia and Laos, and adds the following points in our national capacity.

2 First, we must reaffirm and strengthen the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime, which is even more salient given the state of the world today. We are disappointed with the lack of substantive progress in implementing the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). The recent 2nd NPT Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) is a case in point. As we prepare for the 3rd NPT PrepCom to be held in 2025, we urge all NPT States Parties to work together to achieve concrete outcomes and uphold the NPT’s relevance as the cornerstone of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Another key disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation tool is the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). With yet another Member State ratifying the CTBT this year, only nine outstanding ratifications remain before the Treaty can enter into force. We call on all remaining Member States, in particular the Annex 2 countries that have yet to sign and ratify the CTBT, to bring it into force. 

3 Singapore also recognises the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) indispensable role in upholding nuclear safety and security. During our term as a member of the IAEA’s Board of Governors from 2022 to 2024, Singapore actively contributed to the IAEA’s work, including the IAEA’s technical cooperation mandate through the Singapore-IAEA Third Country Training Programme and the ASEAN-IAEA Practical Arrangements. As we conclude our time on the Board, Singapore remains committed to supporting the IAEA.

4 Singapore also supports efforts to establish Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones (NWFZs) as concrete steps toward a nuclear-weapon-free world, and was glad to participate in the Second Workshop on Fostering Cooperation and Enhancing Consultation among the existing NWFZs held in Kazakhstan in August 2024. Singapore remains committed to the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ). We support ASEAN’s engagement with Nuclear Weapon States to resolve all outstanding issues in accordance with the objectives and principles of the SEANWFZ Treaty. We urge Nuclear Weapon States to accede to the SEANWFZ Protocol without reservations.

5 Second, Singapore reiterates our commitment to the peaceful uses of outer space. We reiterate that all activities in the exploration and use of outer space must be carried out in accordance with the UN Charter and international law. We also underscore the importance of maintaining an open and inclusive international framework for the governance of space. We are encouraged by the consensus adoption of the Final Report of the Group of Governmental Experts on further practical measures for the prevention of an arms race in outer space. We also recognise that discussions on norms, rules and principles have been valuable in our pursuit of preventing an arms race in outer space. Singapore looks forward to exploring practical initiatives to ensure the security and sustainability of this global commons. 

6 Third, Singapore supports the UN’s work to preserve and advance an open, secure, stable, accessible, peaceful and interoperable cyberspace. Cybersecurity is a key enabler of the digital economy. A safe and trusted cyberspace is crucial for all States to achieve sustainable development goals and raise living standards.  Singapore reiterates the key role of the UN, as the only universal and most inclusive forum for addressing cyber issues, in strengthening the rules-based multilateral order in cyberspace. The UN has done good work in this area through the cumulative and evolving framework for responsible State behaviour in cyberspace, comprising the 11 voluntary, non-binding norms of responsible State behaviour in cyberspace, as well as international law, confidence-building, capacity-building and cooperation measures. Singapore reaffirms our commitment to supporting and building on this work at the UN, including by convening the annual Singapore International Cyber Week each October, where we bring together State and non-State stakeholders to build common ground and exchange perspectives on key cyber and digital issues.

7 Singapore is honoured to contribute to the UN’s work through our Chairmanship 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 OEWG’s third Annual Progress Report (APR) in July 2024, including the consensus reached on many key elements of the single-track future permanent mechanism. Singapore will table a draft resolution in the First Committee to endorse this consensus, and reaffirm the OEWG’s progress on the single-track future permanent mechanism and the way forward. Singapore urges all delegations to join consensus on this draft resolution, as demonstration of our collective commitment to building the future permanent mechanism under the current OEWG.

8 Fourth, Singapore recognises the need to work towards a global consensus on implementing responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) within militaries. In this regard, Singapore, as a core group member of the resolution, looks forward to productive discussions within the First Committee on the new resolution “Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain and its Implications for International Peace and Security” led by the Netherlands and the Republic of Korea. We believe that this resolution will complement existing platforms such as the Responsible AI in the Military Domain process and the Political Declaration on the Responsible Military Use of AI and Autonomy, to advance inclusive and multistakeholder discussions on the governance of AI in the military domain.

9 Lastly, we note that there is a practice within the First Committee that the identity of Member States requesting a vote cannot be divulged. This practice is out of sync with that of other Main Committees of the General Assembly, and impedes effective and credible conduct of our work. Singapore and South Africa have therefore jointly put forth a decision to allow this information to be provided by the Chair to the First Committee, upon request. We hope this will allow Member States to better resolve their concerns and allow for better use of the informal consultation process. We seek the support of Member States on this decision.

Madam Chair,

10 To conclude, I would like to reiterate Singapore’s full support for your work. Singapore looks forward to working with all Member States to achieve a successful outcome at the First Committee. Thank you.

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