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New York UN

STATEMENT BY COL FOO KHEE LOON, MILITARY ADVISOR, PERMANENT MISSION OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, THEMATIC DISCUSSION ON CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS, FIRST COMMITTEE, 23 OCTOBER 2014

23 October 2014

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Mr Chairman,


1.                Allow me at the outset to congratulate you and the members of the Bureau for your sterling leadership in steering the First Committee discussions and debates towards concrete outcomes.  My delegation reaffirms our appreciation and support for the work at hand.  


2.                Singapore aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Permanent Representative of Indonesia on behalf of the Group of the Non-Aligned Movement and the statement by the Permanent Representative of Philippines on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.


3.                The absence of internationally binding standards for regulating the trade in conventional arms has resulted in their transfer and diversion to unauthorised users or purposes, and has contributed to countless loss of lives and irreparable harm throughout the world.


4.                Singapore is deeply concerned about the humanitarian, socio-economic and security consequences arising from the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons (SALW).  


5.                At the global level, the illicit diversion of arms contributes to armed conflict, the displacement of people, organised crime and terrorism. They undermine peace, safety, security, stability, and sustainable social and economic development.


6.                Singapore supports international efforts to combat the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons (SALW), such as the Programme of Action (PoA) and the International Tracing Instrument (ITI).  The PoA and the ITI provide an important platform for internationally coordinated curbs on the illicit production, trafficking and circulation of SALW.  Singapore has put in place stringent legislation and strict penalties to regulate the manufacture, possession and transfer of firearms.  We hope that all countries will make the necessary efforts to implement the proposals contained within the PoA and the ITI, and we welcome greater cooperation on this front.


7.                Singapore also welcomes the imminent entry into force of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) in December this year.  The ATT outlines clear prohibitions against the transfer of conventional arms, makes provision for international cooperation to support the implementation of the treaty by developing countries and provides a framework for international assistance.  Singapore has consistently supported the broad principles and objectives of the ATT.  We believe that enhanced international and regional coordination coupled with national efforts will successfully contribute to the reduction of uncontrolled and destabilising arms flows to unintended end users.   We voted in favour of the UN resolution to adopt the text in April 2013, and the UN First Committee resolutions on the ATT at the 68th UN General Assembly. 


Mr Chairman,


8.                The Fifth Biennial Meeting of States to consider the Implementation of the PoA to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in SALW in All Its Aspects in June this year boosted talks and renewed awareness that the illicit trade in SALW threatens peace, safety, security and stability at the national, regional and international levels.  Singapore therefore welcomes the successful outcome of the Fifth Biennial Meeting of States to consider the Implementation of the PoA.


9.                My delegation would like to thank Ambassador Tanin for his leadership in steering the discussion and achieving a concrete outcome.  Singapore is pleased that we were able to find agreement among States to redouble efforts to strengthen the full and effective implementation of the PoA.  We reaffirm our belief in the PoA mechanism as an important forum where confidence-building measures on SALW can be agreed upon. Singapore maintains that the PoA must be directed towards effective implementation on the ground; this is where it matters most.


10.               Singapore remains hopeful that our deliberations can go beyond merely recognising the importance of effective cross-border controls.  We encourage the international community to work towards the full implementation of the PoA.


Mr Chairman,


11.           Before I conclude, let me reaffirm my country’s strong commitment to continue work within the multilateral framework towards legally binding measures to regulate the trade in conventional arms and prevent the diversion of SALW into the illicit trade.  Singapore pledges our support for the Biennial Meeting of States to consider the Implementation of the PoA that will be held in 2016, and will work assiduously towards achieving clear and tangible results by the third Review Conference in 2018.


12.           Thank you.


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