SINGAPORE’S EXPLANATION OF VOTE ON A/C.1/79/L.30 “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.1/79/L.71 “IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION ON CLUSTER MUNITIONS” AT THE FIRST COMMITTEE, 79TH UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 6 NOVEMBER 2023

Thank you, Chair. 
 
I am taking the floor to explain Singapore’s votes in favour of the resolutions, L.30 “Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction” and L.71 “Implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions”, that have just been adopted. 
 
2       Singapore’s position has been clear and consistent. 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” as we support all initiatives against the indiscriminate use of anti-personnel landmines. Singapore has declared an indefinite moratorium on the export of all anti-personnel landmines. 
 
3  Singapore also voted in favour of the resolution “Implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions”. We support 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 supports the work of the aforementioned Conventions by regularly attending the Meetings of States Parties to these Conventions. Singapore will be attending the Fifth Review Conference of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention taking place in Siem Reap, Cambodia, later this month. At the same time, Singapore firmly believes that States have the sovereign right to acquire arms for legitimate self-defence and responsible law enforcement. In that regard, a blanket ban on all types of cluster munitions and anti-personnel landmines may be counter-productive.
 
5       Singapore supports international efforts to address humanitarian concerns over the use of anti-personnel landmines and cluster munitions, and we will continue to work with the international community to find a comprehensive and durable solution to this issue.
 
6       Thank you. 

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