STATEMENT BY MR JOHN YING DELEGATE TO THE 77TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON AGENDA ITEM 45, FOURTH COMMITTEE, 28 OCTOBER 2022

1 Mr Chair, my delegation congratulates you on your appointment, and assures you and your Bureau of Singapore’s full support.

2 Singapore aligns itself with the statement delivered by Indonesia on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Mr Chair,

3 Space-based applications have become an indispensable part of our daily lives in the modern world. Services and industries that rely on space-based infrastructure and technology include aviation, maritime, navigation, mapping and surveying, disaster management, food security, communications, telemedicine, environment monitoring and natural resources management. Many countries utilise space-based applications to help overcome critical challenges such as climate change, food shortages as well as those posed by COVID-19. It is thus imperative that Member States work together to preserve outer space as a peaceful global commons.

4 My delegation believes that small states have a role to play, and can make meaningful contributions in the promotion of the peaceful uses of outer space. As a member of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and a participant at the Open-ended Working Group on reducing space threats through norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours, Singapore strongly supports discussions on best practices, norms, rules and standards that apply to space activities. We also recognise the importance of keeping the global space community connected to facilitate the exchange of ideas, perspectives, and collaboration for the collective benefit of mankind. To this end, Singapore hosts the annual Global Space and Technology Convention, which provides a useful convening platform for industry professionals, space agencies, and interested space players to discuss space technology, industry and policy developments, explore opportunities for collaboration, and accelerate technological innovations. We are also pleased to host the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR)’s fifth symposium in April 2023. As an emerging spacefaring nation, we are forging stronger cooperation with our international partners and industry.

5 Singapore works closely with space companies in Singapore to build their technical capabilities and forge commercial partnerships. There is also a vibrant scientific community and space innovation ecosystem in Singapore actively engaged in space-related research. In particular, some of our start-ups and research centres have developed innovative space-based solutions to address the needs and challenges of our region and beyond. One such example is the collaboration between a local start-up, ST-GeoInsights, and the Centre for Remote Imaging, Sensing and Processing (CRISP), housed within the National University of Singapore. Leveraging their combined expertise, both parties are co-developing advanced remote sensing solutions supported by AI and big data analytics, which have wide-ranging regional and global applications such as in urban planning, maritime safety and security, environmental monitoring, as well as agricultural growth tracking. This collaboration is supported by the Space Technology Development Programme (STDP), a flagship programme started by Singapore’s Office for Space Technology and Industry to facilitate the translation of research into viable commercial products.

Mr Chair,

6 Let me conclude by reaffirming Singapore’s strong support for and commitment to the UN’s efforts to ensure that the use and exploration of outer space is conducted in a manner which benefits all of humankind. 

7 Thank you.

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