STATEMENT BY MS ENG MAN YAN, DELEGATE OF THE PERMANENT MISSION OF SINGAPORE AT THE 76TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY FIRST COMMITTEE COMBINED THEMATIC DISCUSSION ON CLUSTERS ONE TO FOUR, 13 OCTOBER 2021

Thank you, Mr Chair.

2                 One of the United Nations’ core missions is to maintain international peace and security. Disarmament and non-proliferation are therefore a critical part of our work at the UN. The international community must work collectively to achieve tangible progress in the disarmament agenda, without impinging on the sovereign right of States to self-defence and responsible law enforcement. This balance must be struck to ensure a safe and secure future for all. In this regard, I will make three points.   

3                 First, we welcome recent positive steps taken by Nuclear Weapon States (NWS), particularly those with the largest nuclear arsenals, to continue dialogue and strengthen mutual trust to advance the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation agenda. These include the five-year extension of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) between the US and Russia from 2021 to 2026, and their bilateral Strategic Stability Dialogue on nuclear arms control and risk reduction measures. However, even though nuclear weapons have not been used in the past 76 years, progress on nuclear disarmament remains slow, and risks of nuclear proliferation have not abated in many regions.

4                 It is therefore important that States not only renew their commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) at the upcoming 10^th Review Conference, but that they also commit to fulfilling their obligations under the NPT. We urge the NWS to redouble their efforts to reduce their nuclear arsenals and end the qualitative improvement of nuclear weapons and testing. The international community must also work towards the universalisation of the NPT and find a way to involve nuclear weapon possessing states that fall outside the ambit of the NPT in disarmament discussions. At the same time, Singapore supports the inalienable right to the safe and peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology as provided for under the NPT. We reaffirm the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)’s central role in maintaining nuclear safety and security, and call on Member States to continue supporting the IAEA in their efforts to discharge their mandate effectively.

5                 Second, it is imperative that the international community continues its efforts to prevent the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). As one of the world’s busiest transhipment hubs, Singapore takes our responsibilities seriously in this regard. We are committed to complying fully with all relevant UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and have in place a robust export control regime, which we regularly review to ensure its currency. Singapore also contributes actively to multilateral initiatives such as the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). This year, Singapore will host the PSI Exercise Deep Sabre for the fourth time. This will contribute to building capacity in our region to counter the proliferation of WMDs. We also look forward to the comprehensive review of the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1540, which was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

6                 Third, States must fulfil their international legal obligations to curb the illicit trade and indiscriminate use of conventional weapons. Singapore welcomes and supports the outcomes achieved at the Seventh Biennial Meeting of States (BMS7) on the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA). Singapore is a signatory to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and is working towards its ratification. We are committed to the Treaty’s objective of preventing the illicit trade in conventional arms.

7                 Singapore supports international initiatives against the indiscriminate use of anti-personnel landmines, cluster munitions, and conventional weapons. We recognise the impact such weapons can have on innocent civilians, and support relevant UN resolutions and international initiatives under the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the use of Certain Conventional Weapons, the Ottawa Convention, and the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Consequently, Singapore has imposed an indefinite moratorium on the export of anti-personnel landmines and cluster munitions.

Mr Chair,

8                 Let me conclude by reaffirming Singapore’s commitment to working constructively with the international community, to foster greater collaboration and open dialogue, towards a safer and better future for all.

Thank you.

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