STATEMENT BY COLONEL FOO KHEE LOON, MILITARY ADVISOR AND COUNSELLOR, TO THE 70th SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY THEMATIC DISCUSSION ON CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS, FIRST COMMITTEE, 26 OCTOBER 2015

Mr Chairman,

            At the outset, let me join other delegations in congratulating you on your election as Chairman of the First Committee.  We wish you and the members of the Bureau every success leading the work of the Committee, and assure you of our full support and cooperation.

2.         Singapore aligns itself with the statement delivered by Indonesia on behalf of the Group of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Mr Chairman,

3.         The global illicit arms trade remains dangerously out of control.  This message is underscored by the Secretary-General in his latest report on “Small Arms and Light Weapons” (document S/2015/289).  There have been over 250 armed conflicts in the past decade, leading to more than 50,000 deaths each year, record levels of displacement, lost livelihoods and lost opportunities to eliminate poverty.  The widespread availability of small arms and light weapons and their ammunition, particularly the misuse, diversion and illicit circulation of arms and ammunition, has been a key enabler of such conflicts.  The international community must not let up in its efforts to address this problem.

4.         Singapore reiterates our commitment to the United Nations Program of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA) and the International Tracing Instrument (ITI), which are important platforms for international cooperation to address the illicit production, trafficking and circulation of SALW. 

5.         While Singapore reaffirms the sovereign right of States to acquire weapons for legitimate self-defence and responsible law enforcement, we also believe that States must fulfill their broader responsibilities and legal obligations with respect to the transfer of arms.

6.         Singapore is pleased to note the continuing work of the Fifth Biennial Meeting of States (BMS V) in 2014 and the Second Meeting of Governmental Experts (MGE 2) in 2015, in particular the references made to the UN Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security; as it highlights the need to ensure the participation of women in the implementation of the UNPoA.

Mr Chairman,

7.         Singapore also welcomes the entry into force of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and the convening of the First Conference of States Parties in Cancun, Mexico in August 2015.  Singapore has fully supported the ATT since its inception.  We believe that enhanced international and regional coordination coupled with national efforts will successfully contribute to the reduction of uncontrolled and destabilising flows of conventional arms to unintended end users.  Singapore signed the ATT in December 2014 and is now actively reviewing and assessing existing national frameworks and legislation which are necessary for the full implementation of the treaty obligations before we consider ratification of the treaty.

8.         Singapore also recognises the adverse humanitarian impact caused by the indiscriminate use of anti-personnel mines, cluster munitions and convention weapons governed under the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the use of Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW).  Singapore supports and will continue to support all initiatives against the indiscriminate use of such weapons, especially when they are directed at innocent and defenceless civilians.

Mr Chairman,

9.         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 illicit trade.

10.       Thank you.

.    .    .    .    .