STATEMENT BY MISS NG CHUIN SONG, DELEGATE TO THE 72nd SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY FROM THE PERMANENT MISSION OF REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 55: COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE WHOLE QUESTION OF PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS IN ALL THEIR ASPECTS, FOURTH COMMITTEE, 27 OCTOBER 2017

Mr Chairman,

1.         Let me begin by thanking you and your team for the work on strengthening UN peacekeeping operations.

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

Mr Chairman,

3.         We are meeting at a time of great uncertainty. Many States continue to face conflicts, driven by latent tensions over history, ethnicity and ideological differences, as well as emerging transnational problems. There is much work to be done to achieve our shared vision of peace and security.

4.         In such a context, the UN Secretary-General’s push to adopt a more holistic approach to the peace continuum for sustaining peace is particularly timely. UN peacekeeping remains an important instrument in maintaining peace and security. We need to ensure that our UN peacekeeping operations continue to be effective, efficient and relevant in responding to today’s challenges. Besides ensuring that peacekeeping operations’ mandates are correctly formulated, peacekeepers need to be trained and resourced to fulfil these mandates. Focusing on prevention and accountability to address the root causes of conflict and prioritising long-term development alongside the peace-building process are all essential strategies to sustaining peace.  

Mr Chairman,

5.         Singapore fully supports the efforts of the UN in promoting international peace and stability, and we take our international responsibilities and commitments seriously. As a small country with limited resources, we participate where we are able to make useful and meaningful contributions. Since 1989, Singapore has sent more than 2,000 Singapore Armed Forces and Police personnel to 15 UN peacekeeping missions. Beyond our contributions to the UN, Singapore also participates in other multilateral peace support efforts. These include the Gulf of Aden under Combined Task Force 151 since 2009 and the Defeat-ISIS coalition since 2014. Most recently, since June this year, Singapore deployed a medical task force to Iraq to augment the coalition’s medical facilities in Iraq.

6.         Singapore also recently completed its joint collaboration with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) in developing the Notification of Casualties (NOTICAS) software application. The NOTICAS would enhance the efficiency of casualty reporting across all UN peacekeeping missions. Singapore has also assisted in the development of the UN Military Units Manuals for peacekeeping in 2014, which supported the UN DPKO and Department of Field Support (DFS) in improving peacekeeping standards and safety of peacekeepers in the field.  In addition, we regularly second Singapore Armed Forces officers to the UN to assist in the operational planning of UN peacekeeping missions.

Mr Chairman,

7.         Regional and sub-regional organisations also play an important role in fostering peace and development. As ASEAN celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, we can look back with pride at the central role that it has played in maintaining peace and security in Southeast Asia.  But we are not taking our peace and security for granted.  ASEAN Defence Ministers meet annually to discuss ways to further enhance regional trust and confidence through security and defence cooperation.  We are committed to strengthening regional efforts to address new security threats and to keep peace and stability in the region. Cooperation among regional and sub-regional organisations, the UN, and Member States are also crucial to maintaining regional stability and peace. ASEAN has benefitted from its partnership with the UN, and we look forward to the implementation of the 2016 - 2020 ASEAN-UN Plan of Action. As incoming Chairman of ASEAN in 2018, Singapore will continue to work with all stakeholders to promote peace and development.

8.         At the international level, sustaining peace and development requires a strong rules-based multilateral system that is upheld by the UN, based on the principles of mutual respect, mutual benefit and international law. We need a world where all Member States, big and small, have the chance to prosper, and not a world where might is right. In this regard, we welcome the Secretary-General’s efforts to reform and restructure the UN, including the peace and security architecture, to make it fit-for-purpose to better deliver on the UN mandates. Peace operations must have clearer and stronger mandates and must continue to be carried out with strict adherence to the peacekeeping principles, namely the consent of the parties, impartiality, and non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate.

Mr Chairman,

9.         Let me conclude by reiterating Singapore’s commitment to working with the UN and other Member States in sustaining peace. On behalf of my delegation, I would also like to salute the brave men and women who have served and are serving in peacekeeping operations. Their commitment and sacrifice are absolutely vital in paving the way for durable peace and security.

10.         Thank you.

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