STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR BURHAN GAFOOR, PERMAMENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE, AT THE DEBATE OF THE WORKING METHODS OF THE FIRST COMMITTEE AND PROGRAMME PLANNING, 17 OCTOBER 2024

Madam Chair, 

Let  me begin by expressing my appreciation and admiration for your work and your leadership in chairing the work of this important Committee. Please allow me now to make a statement on behalf of my delegation and South Africa, to introduce draft decision A/C.1/79/L.4 entitled “Information on requests for Votes.”

2 We welcome this opportunity to provide views on the working methods of the First Committee. Our intervention today will focus specifically on an existing practice in the First Committee whereby information on the identity of a Member State or States requesting a vote; be it on amendments, particular paragraphs, or a resolution as a whole; is not divulged in the proceedings of the First Committee. We understand that even the Chair or members of the bureau of the First Committee are not privy to this information. This creates a situation where important information on the work of the First Committee are not accessible to any Member State, except the member state or group of states that had called for the vote.   

3 This existing practice raises several challenges for the effective and credible conduct of the work of the First Committee. These include among others the following: (a) Member States are unable to verify the veracity of any call for a vote, which is a lack of transparency; (b) the lack of political accountability for calling for a vote; (c) the lack of access to important information on reasons why votes have been called, thus undermining the ability to understand some positions being taken especially where Member States do not deliver explanations of vote; (d) the lack of opportunity for Member States to engage each other on key issues of concern, which is counter-productive for the work of the Committee; and finally (e) such a practice is out of sync with the practices of other Main Committees of the GA.

Madam Chair, 

4  It is in the context of these challenges, that Singapore and South Africa have tabled the draft decision in document L.4 to allow for information to be provided to the First Committee, upon request by a Member State, on who requested a vote on specific paragraphs or a draft resolution as a whole.  

5 The goal of the draft decision is simple; it seeks to enhance transparency and build confidence by facilitating the flow of information between all member states.  We would like to emphasise that the draft decision does not in any way seek to name and shame or cast any blame. Most importantly, the draft decision does not seek to undermine the right of any Member State to call a vote on any issue they deem important to their delegation, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly.

6 Singapore and South Africa believe that a more transparent process with regard to the calling of votes in the First Committee will enhance mutual understanding and dialogue. Equally important, greater transparency can help to foster an environment of trust and mutual respect and thereby avoid misunderstandings and miscalculations between member states.

7 In this respect, South Africa and Singapore would also like to propose that the First Committee decide that with regard to the work of the First Committee with immediate effect at the 79th Session, the identity of the Member State or States that request a vote on specific paragraphs and/or draft resolutions as a whole must be provided by the Chair of the First Committee to the Committee when requested by a Member State. 

8 On behalf of South Africa and my own delegation, please allow me to conclude by thanking all member states for your inputs and suggestions that you provided during the informal consultations. We request the support of all delegations for draft decision L.4 and the separate oral decision, which we hope will be adopted by consensus. 

9 Thank you very much for your attention.

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