STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR BURHAN GAFOOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS AT THE THIRD SESSION OF THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE FOR THE 11TH NPT REVIEW CONFERENCE, NEW YORK, 28 APRIL – 9 MAY 2025

Mr Chair,

1 Please allow me to begin by extending my delegation’s congratulations to you on your election as Chair of this very important meeting. We are very happy to see you in this position because of your vast leadership experience and wisdom in many UN processes, and we believe this will be very beneficial to us as we seek an outcome to our deliberations. I assure you of Singapore’s full support. My delegation also aligns with the statements made by the Non-Aligned Movement and ASEAN.

2 Mr Chair, Singapore reiterates our disappointment at the failure of successive NPT Review Conferences to adopt a final document since 2010, as well as the lack of a consensus document and agreement on substantive recommendations at last year’s Preparatory Committee in Geneva. Like all other agreements, the NPT is only as meaningful as the actions we take to implement them. All States Parties need to take concrete steps to fulfil our obligations under the NPT, which is the cornerstone of the international nuclear disarmament regime. Therefore, this year’s session, which is the final one before the 2026 RevCon, presents a critical opportunity for us to take concrete action and inject much-needed momentum to the process if we are to arrive at a meaningful outcome next year. To do so, it is imperative for all States Parties to demonstrate genuine political will and commitment to achieving tangible progress on nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation, and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The lack of yet another substantive outcome at the 2026 RevCon would have serious negative implications for the relevance and integrity of the NPT regime.

3 Unfortunately, the NPT’s legitimacy and effectiveness continues to be undermined by the non-implementation of past RevCon commitments and repeated instances of non-compliance by some States Parties of the Treaty’s provisions and their safeguards obligations. First, the continued increase and modernisation of nuclear capabilities by Nuclear Weapon States (NWS) goes against Article VI of the NPT, and Singapore calls upon these States to practice accountability and transparency, avoiding all actions that contravene the objective and purpose of the NPT. Second, the deep-seated differences in views between NWS and Non-Nuclear Weapon States (NNWS) over the NPT’s adequacy, fairness and purpose also continues to hamper much-needed progress in the implementation of the Treaty. Third, there remain countries outside the ambit of the NPT, and we reiterate our call for these countries to join, or rejoin, the NPT to strengthen the international nuclear disarmament and non- proliferation regime. Fourth, we are gravely concerned that the DPRK continues to advance and expand its nuclear and ballistic programme in violation of its longstanding international commitments and obligations.

4 Mr Chair, Singapore remains firmly committed to the objectives of the NPT. The three pillars of the NPT are mutually reinforcing and equally important. They represent a delicate balance of interests which constitutes the core bargain of the NPT, and failure to achieve progress in one pillar will in turn impede progress on the others.

First Pillar: Nuclear Disarmament

5 Many States Parties share the collective long-term aspiration of complete nuclear disarmament. If we are to make progress towards this goal, it is imperative that all NWS make and implement concrete commitments to significantly reduce their nuclear arsenals in a transparent, irreversible, and verifiable manner, in line with their commitments under Article VI of the Treaty and the 2010 Action Plan. With the expiry of the new START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) approaching soon in February 2026, we encourage both parties to resume dialogue and work towards a new agreement. We also call for other NWS to commit to further reductions of their nuclear arsenal.

6 We must redouble our efforts towards the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban-Treaty (CTBT), which is long overdue. The CTBT is a key pillar of the multilateral nuclear non-proliferation architecture. We call on States Parties to refrain from unravelling the substantial progress on the CTBT that the international community has achieved to date. Singapore welcomes the ratification of the CTBT by Papua New Guinea in March 2024 and reiterates our call on all remaining countries, particularly the remaining Annex 2 States, to ratify the CTBT as soon as possible.
 
7 Singapore also supports the establishment of nuclear weapons-free zones, which represent useful and concrete contributions towards a nuclear- weapon-free-world. We have been a party to the Southeast Asia Nuclear- Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ), which has been in force since 1997. We will continue to explore the possibility of allowing individual Nuclear Weapon States which are willing to sign and ratify the Protocol to the SEANWFZ Treaty without reservations and provide formal assurance of this commitment in writing to go ahead with the signing. We reaffirm our commitment to continuously engage all the Nuclear Weapon States, including those with reservations, and intensify efforts of all parties to resolve all outstanding issues in accordance with the objectives and principles of the SEANWFZ Treaty. We also welcome all efforts by States to achieve a nuclear weapons-free Middle East, including efforts to establish a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction.

Second Pillar: Nuclear Non-Proliferation

8 The global nuclear non-proliferation architecture faces significant sources of stress, exacerbated by heightened geopolitical tensions and non- compliance with nuclear non-proliferation obligations. The proliferation of nuclear technology and material, the potential use of tactical nuclear weapons, as well as dual-use items for military purposes remains a major concern. Singapore believes that nuclear non-proliferation should be strengthened on several fronts.

9 First, we call on all NPT States Parties that have not yet done so to conclude an IAEA Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and the Additional Protocol and implement their provisions without delay. We strongly support the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which plays an indispensable role, not only with respect to the verification of non-proliferation obligations under the NPT, but in upholding and strengthening the global nuclear safety and security framework.

10 Second, we remain deeply concerned at the DPRK’s continued expansion of its nuclear and ballistic missile programme. We urge the DPRK to cease all provocative actions that may raise tensions on the Korean Peninsula, return to the NPT, and fully comply with all its international obligations.

11 Third, we remain concerned about the lack of progress in resolving outstanding nuclear safeguard issues and call for an intensification of efforts to work towards the revival of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and to uphold their respective obligations thereto. We also welcome the recent resumption of talks between Iran and the United States.

12 Fourth, as a major international trading and transshipment hub, Singapore firmly believes in the strengthening of international cooperation to maintain a robust and effective international export control regime. However, this should not impede legitimate trade, especially for States that fully comply with their international obligations. Singapore takes our international obligations seriously. We continually update our export control regime and fully implement all UN Security Council resolutions.

Third Pillar: Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy

13 Singapore supports the inalienable right of States to peaceful uses of nuclear energy (PUNE) provided for under Article IV of the NPT, particularly for economic and social development. PUNE can facilitate States Parties’ progress towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals for developing and Least Developed Countries. We also commend and support the IAEA’s efforts to help Member States, particularly developing countries and Least Developed Countries, access peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology through the IAEA’s Technical Cooperation Programme. During our term as a member of the IAEA’s Board of Governors from 2022 to 2024, Singapore contributed actively to supporting the IAEA’s technical cooperation mandate through our Singapore-IAEA Third Country Training Programme and the ASEAN-IAEA Practical Arrangements.

14 Singapore is happy to note that the ASEAN-IAEA Practical Arrangements have been renewed for a further 5-year term from 2024 to 2029, which build on the IAEA’s ongoing projects in the region, including in Enhancing Nuclear Emergency Preparedness and Response in ASEAN for the period 2022- 2025, and elevate regional cooperation on nuclear safety and security, among other areas. Singapore stands ready to work closely with the region to strengthen and enhance nuclear safety and security standards.

15 A robust international framework on nuclear safety that is respected and abided is also of great importance to all States. States’ rights to PUNE must therefore be accompanied by a commensurate responsibility to uphold nuclear safety and security, and be carried out in a safe, secure and safeguarded manner.
 
Singapore’s annual co-sponsorship of the Nuclear Safety resolution at the IAEA General Conference underscores that commitment.

Conclusion

Mr Chair,

16 Amidst the intensifying geopolitical headwinds and a deteriorating international security environment, it is critical that we restore momentum and strengthen our commitment to the NPT, which remains the cornerstone of the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime. My delegation hopes that States Parties will make use of the next few weeks to engage in inclusive, honest and constructive dialogue, seek common points of understanding on points of divergence, in the spirit of ensuring the Treaty’s continued relevance and progress in its implementation. I thank you very much for your attention.

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