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New York UN

STATEMENT BY MR VICNESH NADARAJAH, DELEGATE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE TO THE 78TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON AGENDA ITEM 51, FOURTH COMMITTEE, 1 NOVEMBER 2023

1 November 2023

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Mdm Chair,


1 My delegation expresses our gratitude to you and your team for the work on strengthening UN peacekeeping operations.


2 Singapore associates itself with the statements delivered by Indonesia on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and the statement provided by Morocco on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. 


Mdm Chair,


3 This year marks seventy-five years since the first blue helmets were deployed in 1948. For seven and a half decades, peacekeepers have served in remote and often dangerous locations, overcoming challenges to help prevent violence, protect civilians, facilitate the safe delivery of humanitarian aid, and support the conditions necessary to maintain international peace and security. As we mark the 75th year of UN peacekeeping operations, Singapore extends our heartfelt appreciation and commends the peacekeepers who, despite facing challenging conditions, tirelessly strive for extraordinary outcomes.


Mdm Chair,


4 The nature of UN peacekeeping missions has evolved over the last 75 years in keeping up with the changing nature of threats. The role of UN peacekeepers has shifted from primarily observing ceasefires to "multidimensional" peacekeeping. This often involves facilitating political processes, assisting in the disarmament and reintegration of former combatants, and restoring stability and the rule of law. At the same time, peacekeepers face greater challenges, including dealing with complex threat environments which could be exacerbated by climate vulnerabilities, asymmetrical attacks by non-state actors, and disinformation campaigns. 


5 Against this backdrop, allow me to reiterate Singapore’s support for the UN Secretary-General's Actions for Peacekeeping initiative AP4 and AP4+, to refocus peacekeeping with targeted goals, and to make operations stronger and safer. We are glad that the AP4 has yielded many tangible improvements, which have seen reduced incidents of violence and fatalities, improvement in the safety of peacekeepers, increased participation of women in peace processes, and stronger peacekeeping partnerships.


Mr Chairman,


6 Despite our small size and limited resources, Singapore has consistently demonstrated its strong commitment to international peace and security. Over the past thirty years, we have deployed over 2,000 military and police personnel in various capacities to 17 UN peacekeeping and observer missions around the globe. For example, take the Singapore Police Force (SPF) UN Peacekeeping Force which marks its 25th anniversary this year. This is a compact operationally ready unit which has performed policing duties in overseas peacekeeping missions since 1989. Singapore has and will continue to contribute to areas where we can make a meaningful impact.


Mdm Chair,


7 In today’s fragile and fragmented world, peacekeeping has never been more relevant and its success more urgent. Looking at the impact your bureau has made around the world, it is no doubt that UN peacekeeping remains a cornerstone of global peace and stability. To succeed, the international community must continue to support UN peacekeeping and provide peacekeepers with the resources and capabilities they need to deliver on their mandates.


8 Let me conclude by underscoring Singapore's support for UN peacekeeping operations.


9 I thank you, Mdm Chair.


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