STATEMENT BY MS CHANG YUEN YI, DELEGATE TO THE 75TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON AGENDA ITEMS 51 AND 54, FOURTH COMMITTEE, 20 OCTOBER 2020

Mr Chair

My delegation would like to thank you and the Fourth Committee Bureau for your efforts in ensuring that our work has been able to continue despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

2 Singapore aligns itself with the statements delivered by Indonesia on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and by Azerbaijan on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). Our statement today will focus on two issues – outer space and peacekeeping.

Outer Space

Mr Chair,

3 Like many other countries, Singapore depends on space-based technologies and applications to support important civilian and government functions. As the world becomes increasingly reliant on space-based infrastructure and applications, we see a corresponding increase in challenges ranging from space debris to orbital congestion. The international community needs to step up our collective efforts to address these challenges and preserve global access to outer space. 

4 My delegation believes that small states can make useful contributions and play a part in the promotion of peaceful uses of outer space. Singapore is engaged in a wide range of space-related activities – from the design and manufacture of space components to the provision of satellite-based services. There is a vibrant scientific community in Singapore that is actively engaged in space-related research.  Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University’s Satellite Research Centre and the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) Satellite Technology and Research Centre have both collaborated closely with overseas research institutes and space agencies. Work is also being done to exploit disruptive space technologies. In 2019, for example, our Centre for Quantum Technologies (CQT) at NUS deployed the nanosatellite “SpooQy-1” into Low Earth Orbit from the International Space Station. Researchers have since generated and detected “quantum entanglement” onboard SpooQy-1, signalling the potential to unlock quantum communications in the next decade. 

5 In addition, Singapore is further investing in R&D to build up our space capabilities, and deepening our partnerships with industry. Singapore seeks to forge stronger cooperation on outer space issues with partners in our region and beyond, and supports efforts to strengthen consensus on international norms for space. As a new member of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), we will work to contribute constructively to its work and that of its Sub-Committees. To ensure a coordinated national approach, we have centralised space matters under our Office for Space Technology and Industry (OSTIn).

6 As the world becomes increasingly reliant on infrastructure in outer space, it is important that we remain committed to the responsible use and exploration of outer space in a manner that will benefit humankind. Singapore strongly believes that outer space should be preserved as a peaceful global commons, and we reiterate our support for the UN’s efforts to strengthen the open and inclusive international regime governing outer space activities.

Peacekeeping

Mr Chair,

7 Let me now turn to peacekeeping. For 72 years, UN peacekeeping efforts have played a critical role in maintaining global peace and security. Today, these efforts are more important than ever. In this regard, Singapore is encouraged by the innovative approaches taken to implement the Secretary-General’s Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) commitments during this challenging time, whether by Missions on the ground, the Department of Peace Operations (DPO) or the Department of Operational Support (DOS) here at Headquarters. We welcome the improved training and the provision of specialised equipment for UN peacekeepers, which have led to a decrease in peacekeeper fatalities due to violent acts.  We are encouraged by the finalisation of the Peacekeeping Performance and Accountability Framework and the utilisation of the Comprehensive Performance Assessment System to improve the performance of peacekeeping missions. We are also encouraged by the increased participation of women in peace and political processes in the peacekeeping context, and welcome the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2538 (2020) on women in peacekeeping. 

8 As a small country with limited resources, Singapore participates where we believe we can make useful and meaningful contributions. Over the past 30 years, 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, military advisors in support of national reconciliation processes, and ensuring the security of and observing UN-sponsored elections in various regions. Singaporeans have held senior military and civilian appointments in UN peacekeeping.  Singapore also 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. 

9 On other fronts, we have collaborated with DPO and DOS on the Notification of Casualties (NOTICAS) software application, which has since been operationalised across all UN peace missions to improve casualty reporting. Singapore has also participated in the development of specialist UN Military Unit Manuals to improve peacekeeping doctrine standards in partnership with DPO.  In November 2018, Singapore participated in the Triangular Partnership Project on training peacekeepers to operate heavy engineering equipment hosted by Vietnam, to enhance critical skillsets for peacekeepers.

10 UN peacekeeping remains an integral pillar of international peace and stability. It is therefore imperative that peacekeeping operations receive the necessary resources to fulfil their mandates. There is a need for efficiency and accountability in peacekeeping operations, but this must go hand-in-hand with safeguarding the ability of personnel to carry out the tasks they have been entrusted with, in safety and security. Member States must therefore do their part to support the Organisation, troop- and police-contributing countries, and our men and women in the field. My delegation calls on all Member States to fulfil their legal and financial obligations to peacekeeping and to our men and women in the field, in full, on time, and without conditions. 

 I thank you, Mr Chair.

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