STATEMENT BY MS WANG SHUO, FIRST SECRETARY, PERMANENT MISSION OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS AT THE GENERAL DEBATE OF THE FIRST COMMITTEE, 11 OCTOBER 2019

Thank you Mr Chairman,

1 Congratulations to you and members of the Bureau on your appointments. Singapore aligns itself with the statements delivered by Myanmar, on behalf of ASEAN, and by Indonesia, on behalf of NAM. We reiterate our support for the Secretary-General’s Disarmament Agenda calling for urgent and collective action to secure our common future.   

Mr Chairman, 

2 Nuclear weapons have only been used twice in 1945. Yet, nearly 14,000 nuclear warheads still exist today, and nuclear-weapon states continue to modernise their arsenals.

3 Against the backdrop of today’s fragmented and unstable security environment where multilateralism is coming under increasing pressure, my delegation believes that there are three pressing issues that the First Committee must address to pursue our ultimate goal of a world free of nuclear weapons: 

4 First, the global community must continue to affirm and strengthen the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime. Recent developments have threatened international peace and security. The way forward on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is unclear following the US’ withdrawal and Iran’s decision to cease implementing some of its commitments since July 2019. Singapore urges all parties to fulfil their JCPOA obligations, and calls on Iran to continue its full cooperation with the IAEA and international partners. We hope that all parties will continue to engage in dialogue to sustain internationally negotiated agreements. Following the termination of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, we look forward to the successful renewal of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. 

5 On recent developments in Asia, Singapore urges the DPRK to abide by its international obligations, and reiterates our support for its peaceful denuclearisation, to avoid undermining the recent progress made. 

6 The global community must preserve and strengthen the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as we approach the 50th anniversary of its entry into force in 2020. We commend Malaysia’s efforts as chair of the third NPT Preparatory Committee. Despite the lack of a consensus document, States Parties should build on the discussions to achieve a successful 2020 Review Conference. 

7 We call on the international community to continue undertaking concrete steps to bring the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty into force, and to commence negotiations on the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty. We also look forward to a successful session of the UN Disarmament Commission next year. Together with the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, these instruments provide the international community with multiple pathways to a nuclear-weapon-free world. 

8 Singapore supports the establishment of Nuclear-Weapons-Free-Zones (NWFZs), which are concrete steps under Article VII of the NPT. We reaffirm our commitment to the Southeast Asian NWFZ, and look forward to continued dialogue with Nuclear Weapon States on their accession to the SEANWFZ protocol without reservations. We also welcome all efforts to achieve genuine and lasting peace in a nuclear-weapons-free Middle East.  

9 Second, Member States must continue discussions on the development of common international standards for the transfer of conventional arms to end illicit trade and regulate stockpiles. As a committed signatory to the Arms Trade Treaty, Singapore encourages all states to report the international transfer of arms for greater accountability and the establishment of common international standards. On a related note, Singapore was pleased to have the opportunity to participate in and contribute to discussions of the 2019 UN Register of Conventional Arms Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) earlier this year.

10 Third, we believe that it is important for Member States to pursue the establishment of norms of responsible state behaviour in new domains of conflict, such as cyber and outer space. Cyber-attacks can undermine the promise of a common digital future. Singapore welcomes the establishment of the Open Ended Working Group, and Group of Governmental Experts on Developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the Context of International Security, and looks forward to their substantive discussions building on the work done by previous GGEs. Outer space too, is at risk of an arms race. Singapore looks forward to exploring practical initiatives to ensure the security and sustainability of this global commons, such as an open and inclusive international framework.  

Mr Chairman, 

11 Singapore takes our international non-proliferation and disarmament obligations seriously. We have aligned our export regulations with international export control regimes, and are fully committed to implementing all relevant UNSC Resolutions, including to prevent the illicit trafficking of weapons of mass destruction. Singapore co-leads the Financial Action Task Force Policy Development Group to safeguard the integrity of the global financial system from proliferation financing. We also participate actively in international counter-proliferation initiatives, such as the Proliferation Security Initiative Exercises.

12 National and regional initiatives must complement the UN’s work to address interconnected and transboundary international security challenges. We must redouble our commitment to find common ground and take substantive action to secure the twin goals of complete nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Singapore is committed to play a constructive and active role alongside all states to achieve this end.

13 Thank you. 

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