STATEMENT BY COLONEL LIM TONG HAI, MILITARY ADVISOR AND COUNSELLOR, TO THE 73rd SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE THEMATIC DISCUSSION ON CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS, FIRST COMMITTEE, 26 OCTOBER 2018

Thank you Mr Chairman,

1.                  Singapore aligns itself with the statements delivered by Indonesia on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and by Vietnam on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).  We also wish to make the following four points.

2.                  First, the widespread availability of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and their ammunition, particularly the misuse, diversion and illicit circulation of these arms and ammunition, threaten global peace, security and development. Singapore therefore fully supports international efforts to address the illicit trade in and the indiscriminate use of Small Arms and Light Weapons and their ammunition. In this regard, Singapore reiterates our commitment to the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (POA) and the International Tracing Instrument process.  We participated actively in the Third Review Conference that took place in June 2018, and look forward to working with Member States to advance the POA agenda collectively at the 7^th Biennial Meeting of States in 2020.

3.                    At the national level, Singapore has a strong export control regime underpinned by the Strategic Goods (Control) Act (SGCA) which regulates the movement of strategic goods, including conventional military items and dual-use goods, through Singapore. This is supplemented by other laws such as the Arms and Explosives Act, and the Regulation of Imports and Exports Act. 

4.                  Second, Singapore will continue to contribute to global efforts to establish common international standards in the conventional arms trade. Singapore signed the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) on 5 December 2014. Domestic consultations are ongoing between relevant agencies and stakeholders to put in place processes as well as possible legislative amendments to enable Singapore to fully implement the ATT provisions.

5.                  Third, Singapore continues to support international initiatives against the indiscriminate use of anti-personnel landmines, cluster munitions and conventional weapons, which have an adverse humanitarian impact especially when they are directed at innocent civilians. Singapore has therefore imposed an indefinite moratorium on the export of anti-personnel landmines and cluster munitions.

6.                  Fourth, Singapore believes in promoting transparency in international arms transfers. Singapore has supported the annual submissions to the UN Register on Conventional Arms (UNRCA) since 1993, and played a constructive role as a member of the 2016 UNRCA Group of Governmental Experts (GGE).

Mr Chairman,

7.                  Singapore is firmly of the view that States must fulfil their international obligations in respect of the curbing of the illicit arms trade and the indiscriminate use of conventional weapons.  At the same time, we 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.  

8.                  Thank you.

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