STATEMENT BY MS TRACY QUEK, DELEGATE TO THE 73RD SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY FROM THE PERMANENT MISSION OF REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 56: COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE WHOLE QUESTION OF PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS IN ALL THEIR ASPECTS, FOURTH COMMITTEE, 31 OCTOBER 2018

Mr Chairman,

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

2.      This year, the UN marks seven decades since the first blue helmets were deployed in 1948. Since then, the world has changed and peacekeeping operations are changing to adapt to new realities. Mandates today are more complex, reflecting an attempt to address evolving challenges.

Mr Chairman,

3.      In this context, Singapore welcomes the Secretary-General’s Action for Peacekeeping initiative, or A4P. It is a timely undertaking aimed at ensuring that UN peacekeeping operations remain effective, efficient, and have the strong support of Member States. Singapore was among one of the first countries in our region to endorse the A4P. This underscores our support for our common goal of building a better UN that can effectively meet current and emerging challenges across the peace continuum. 

Mr Chairman,

4.      As a small country with limited resources, Singapore participates where we are able to make useful and meaningful contributions. Since 1989, we have sent more than 2,000 Singapore Armed Forces and Police personnel to 15 peacekeeping missions. Beyond the UN, Singapore has also participated in other multilateral peace support efforts. These include the Combined Task Force 151 in the Gulf of Aden, and the Defeat-ISIS coalition. Singapore deployed a Counter-Terrorism Training Unit to Iraq to train Iraqi Security Forces in weapons and combat tactics and counter-improvised explosive device methods. 

5.      Singapore has also collaborated with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and the Department of Field Support (DFS) to develop the NOTICAS application. NOTICAS is designed to enhance the efficiency of casualty reporting across all peacekeeping missions. Singapore has also worked in partnership with DPKO in the development of specialist UN Military Unit Manuals for peacekeeping to improve peacekeeping standards. 

6.      At the regional level, the establishment of multilateral regional security forums such as the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus also play an important part in preventing conflict and sustaining peace by providing platforms for regular dialogue and engagement. On the ADMM, the ASEAN Peacekeeping Centres Network promotes peacekeeping cooperation by enhancing coordination between AMS’ peacekeeping centres. Under the ADMM-Plus, the Experts’ Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) promotes practical cooperation between the ADMM-Plus militaries on peacekeeping, such as through the conduct of the combined PKO and humanitarian mine action field training exercise in Indonesia in the second half of 2019.  

Mr Chairman,

7.      United Nations peacekeeping remains a central pillar in the maintenance of international peace and security. Singapore supports efforts by the UN to enhance operational safety, security, performance and leadership across peacekeeping missions. To this end, we encourage the Secretariat, Security Council, and troop and police contributing countries to improve triangular cooperation. Close and inclusive consultation with all stakeholders, especially host countries, is critical in formulating achievable and realistic mandates, with strict adherence to the agreed principles of peacekeeping, namely the consent of the parties, impartiality, and non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate. The General Assembly must also fulfil our financial obligations to peacekeeping in full, on time, and without conditions. If peacekeeping is to succeed in addressing the new challenges of today, then all stakeholders must do their part to support its success.

8.      In conclusion, Mr Chair, Singapore will remain committed to supporting UN peacekeeping operations and we look forward to working with all stakeholders to achieve our common goal of a better tomorrow.

9.      Thank you.

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