STATEMENT BY COLONEL LIM TONG HAI, MILITARY ADVISOR AND COUNSELLOR, TO THE 72nd SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE THEMATIC DISCUSSION ON CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS, FIRST COMMITTEE, 20 OCTOBER 2017

Thank you Mr Chairman,

1.                 My delegation congratulates you on your election as Chairman of the First Committee. Singapore will extend our full support to you and the members of your Bureau in striving to achieve conclusive outcomes at this session.

2.                 Singapore aligns itself with the statements delivered by Indonesia on behalf of the Group of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and by Thailand on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

3.                 I would like to raise four points on behalf of the Singapore delegation.

4.                 First, Singapore reaffirms our commitment to support the United Nations’ (UN) efforts aimed at addressing illicit arms trade and the irresponsible use of conventional ammunitions and Small Arms Light Weapons (SALW). The illicit diversion of arms has been a key enabler to armed conflicts that often threatens the global peace, security and social-economic development. We should also recognise the growing challenges and the serious consequences, such as the high civilian casualties, caused by the indiscriminate small arms uses. Therefore, Singapore fully supports international efforts to deal with the threats posed by illicit arms trade and the indiscriminate use of conventional arms.

5.                 At the national level, Singapore has a strong export control systems regime to curb illicit arms flow through our country. Known as the Strategic Goods Control Act (SGCA), it regulates the export, transhipment and transit of strategic goods (which include conventional military items and dual-use goods) through Singapore.

6.                 On the multilateral front, Singapore supports the UN Programme of Action (POA) and the International Tracing Instrument (ITI), which are effective levers to curb illicit arms production and trafficking of small arms and light weapons (SALW). Singapore has regularly attended the Biennial Meetings of States (BMS) of the POA. For the Sixth BMS in 2016, we are pleased to note the significant progress achieved in advancing the implementation scope of the POA. We welcome the early consultations held in New York by France for the Third Review Conference of the UN POA in 2018. We look forward to another year of robust discussions.

7.                 Second, Singapore is a consistent supporter of global efforts to establish common international standards for the regulation of the international trade in conventional arms. Singapore signed the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) on 5 December 2014. Our various agencies and stakeholders are putting in place processes, as well as laying the ground for the necessary domestic legislation to be enacted in order to fully implement the ATT obligations. Singapore welcomes the progress that the ATT has made since its entry into force in 2014. We have actively participated in the ATT Conference of States Parties since 2015, and we recognise the significant efforts taken towards achieving consensus on key issues during these sessions

8.                 Third, Singapore continues to support the international initiatives against the indiscriminate use of anti-personnel landmines, cluster munitions and conventional weapons. We supported the UN resolutions relating to these issues given the adverse humanitarian impact when these are used against innocent civilians. We have in place indefinite moratoriums on the export of anti-personal landmines and cluster munitions. We also welcome the annual meetings of the Steering Committee of the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre (ARMAC) at its Headquarters in Phnom Penh, which serves as a regional centre of excellence in addressing the humanitarian aspects of unexploded ordinance and explosive remnants of war.

9.                 Fourth, Singapore supports efforts to promote transparency in international arms transfers. Singapore has submitted annual reports to the UN Register on Conventional Arms (UNRCA) since 1993. Singapore also played a constructive role as a member of the Group of Governmental Expert (GGE) for the 2016 UNRCA meeting series. Through the GGE’s collective effort, the UNRCA voluntary reporting instrument has been strengthened to better reflect the transparency in international arms transfers and developments in conventional arms.

Mr Chairman,

10.             While Singapore agrees that States should fulfil the legal and international obligations with regard to the transfer of arms, we firmly believe that the legitimate security concerns and the right to self-defence of any State cannot be disregarded. Singapore reaffirms the sovereign right of States to acquire arms for legitimate defence and responsible law enforcement purposes.   International efforts should rightly be focused on curbing and addressing the illicit arms trade and the irresponsible and indiscriminate use of conventional weapons.  Singapore is strongly committed to playing our part and stands ready to work with the fellow Member States to preserve peace and security through disarmament.

11.             Thank you.

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