STATEMENT BY CHARISSA SEAH, DELEGATE TO THE 74TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY FROM THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 52: COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE WHOLE QUESTION OF PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS IN ALL THEIR ASPECTS, FOURTH COMMITTEE, 4 NOVEMBER 2019

Mr Chairman,

1. Let me begin by thanking you, the Bureau, and the Special Committee on Peacekeeping (C34) for your collective efforts to strengthen UN peace operations. 

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

Mr Chairman,

3. For 71 years, UN peacekeeping efforts have played a critical role in maintaining global peace and security. But conflicts are becoming more complex and high-risk. The nature of armed conflicts is changing rapidly. Peacekeepers have at times been targets. Mandates have also grown broad and more complex. Peacekeeping operations must therefore be enhanced to keep pace.

4. In this context, Singapore welcomes the steps taken by the Department of Peace Operations (DPO) and the Department of Operational Support (DOS) to advance the Secretary-General’s Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) initiative. We welcome the fact that the improved UN approaches to peacekeeping training and provision of specialised equipment have led to a decrease in peacekeeper fatalities due to violent acts. We are also encouraged that performance has been progressively enhanced with improved situational awareness, training approaches and increased participation of women peacekeepers. Nevertheless, more needs to be done to further strengthen the capacity and adaptability of peacekeeping missions.

Mr Chairman,

5. Singapore supports the UN’s efforts to promote international peace and stability, and we take our international responsibilities and commitments seriously. As a small country with limited resources, Singapore participates where we believe we can make useful and meaningful contributions. Since 1989, Singapore has deployed more than 2,000 military and police personnel to 17 UN peacekeeping and observer missions in various capacities. This includes providing medical support and military advisors for national reconciliation, ensuring security as well as supervising UN-sponsored elections in the Asian, African, Middle Eastern and South American regions. Singaporeans have also held senior military and civilian appointments in UN peacekeeping. Singapore supports other multinational peace efforts, including the Combined Maritime Task Force in combating piracy in the Gulf of Aden as mandated by the UN Security Council.

6. Additionally, the Notification of Casualties (NOTICAS) software application, which Singapore collaborated with the DPO and DOS on, has been operationalised across all UN peace missions to enhance the efficiency of their casualty reporting. To ensure that peacekeeping policies and standards remain relevant, Singapore actively participates in the peacekeeping policy-making process in the C34 and supports its intersessional review on its working methods. Singapore has also developed specialist UN Military Unit Manuals to improve peacekeeping doctrine standards in partnership with the DPO.

7. At the regional level, the establishment of multilateral regional security forums such as the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus play an important part in promoting peace and stability. These forums, in which Singapore is an active member, provide platforms for regular dialogue and engagement, and foster cooperation between ASEAN Member States and our Plus partners. Singapore is committed to supporting initiatives to enhance the critical skillsets of peacekeepers. In this regard, we were pleased to participate in the Triangular Partnership Project on training peacekeepers to operate heavy engineering equipment hosted by Vietnam in November 2018.  

Mr Chairman,

8. UN peacekeeping remains an integral pillar of international peace and stability. If peacekeeping is to succeed in addressing the new challenges of today, all stakeholders must do their part. We encourage all Member States to fulfil their financial obligations to peacekeeping in full, on time, and without conditions. 

9. Let me conclude by reiterating Singapore’s support for UN peacekeeping operations. We look forward to working with all stakeholders to build a better future for all.

10. Thank you.

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