STATEMENT BY MS BERENICE LOW DELEGATE TO THE 76TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOURTH COMMITTEE JOINT GENERAL DEBATE 27 OCTOBER 2021

1 Mr Chair, my delegation congratulates you on your election to the bureau of the 4^th Committee, and assures you and your Bureau of Singapore’s full support for a productive session.

2 Singapore aligns itself with the statement delivered by Indonesia on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, as well as the statement delivered by Azerbaijan on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. We will elaborate further in our national capacity on two agenda items, namely (i) international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space and (ii) comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects. 

Mr Chair,

3 The world has become increasingly reliant on space-based infrastructure and technology to provide essential services relating to communications, navigation, health, defence, and environment management, and these have made important contributions to human development. However, the reliance on and exponential advancements in space technology have also given rise to new challenges such as orbital congestion and space debris. It is therefore important that the global community works closely together to strengthen consensus on applicable international norms in outer space and to preserve outer space as a peaceful global commons.

4 While Singapore is a small state, we have sought to play a constructive role in promoting peaceful uses of outer space. Singapore was glad that the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, which we joined as a member recently, was able to hold its 64^th session this year after the cancellation of the 63^rd session due to COVID-19. Singapore welcomes the consensus reached at the 64^th session on the Space2030 Agenda and its implementation plan. This was an important milestone as it provides an ambitious and forward-looking strategy for international space cooperation and the use of space activities and tools to address sustainable development concerns.

5 Singapore is pleased to have become a member of the Space Climate Observatory (SCO) this year and to have participated in consultations led by the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs to draft the SCO’s International Charter. The SCO’s work in studying, monitoring and adapting to climate change is a priority for Singapore, given that small island states are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.   

6 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 and growing scientific community in Singapore that is actively engaged in space-related research, including Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University’s Satellite Research Centre and the National University of Singapore’s Satellite Technology and Research Centre. Singapore has also taken steps to encourage innovation, such as launching a space-focused accelerator programme in 2020 to support local and international space tech start-ups through mentorship, fundraising support, provision of marketing platforms, and connections to global industry players. In addition, Singapore hosts the annual Global Space and Technology Convention where space technology, industry and policy developments are discussed.

7 Singapore is also interested in forging stronger cooperation on outer space issues with partners in our region and beyond. For instance, Singapore’s national space office, the Office for Space Technology and Industry, signed a Letter of Intent with the United Arab Emirates Space Agency earlier this year to deepen engagements in space technology, policy, and law.

8 Space-based technologies and their role in facilitating essential civilian and government functions, as well as solving global problems, can only become more critical. In that regard, Singapore reiterates its support for efforts undertaken at the UN and other fora to strengthen the open, inclusive, rules-based international regime governing outer space activities. Singapore will continue to contribute actively to these efforts. 

Mr Chair,

9 I would now like to turn to peacekeeping, a cornerstone of the UN’s work. Singapore commends the UN Department of Peace Operations and Department of Operational Support’s efforts to support UN peacekeeping operations in various locations around the world despite the challenges posed by COVID-19. We reiterate our support for these efforts which are crucial to maintaining international peace and security. While peacekeeping operations have always been complex and demanding, COVID-19 and the rise of non-state actors have brought new challenges for those on the frontline as well as those planning the operations here at Headquarters. In this regard, Singapore is encouraged by the seven priority areas in the Secretary-General’s Action for Peacekeeping Plus (A4P+) to meet current and emerging challenges in peacekeeping operations. We also appreciate the Secretary-General’s commitment to improve the effectiveness of peacekeeping missions in delivering their mandates.

10 Singapore supports the Secretary-General’s drive to “move towards innovative, data-driven and tech-enabled peacekeeping” as mentioned in the A4P+ and the Strategy for the Digital Transformation of UN Peacekeeping. We believe that digitalisation will contribute to improving the conduct and monitoring of peacekeeping operations. For instance, all UN peacekeeping missions currently use a Singapore-developed application, NOTICAS, to create, maintain, and submit secure electronic casualty reports, which improves information processing time on an issue of key concern.

11 As a small country with limited resources, Singapore participates where we believe we can make useful contributions. Singapore was among the early countries to sign the Memorandum of Understanding on UN Standby Arrangements, now known as the UN Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System. 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, as well as ensuring the security of and observing UN-sponsored elections. Singaporeans have also held senior military and civilian appointments in UN peacekeeping operations. Since 1998 the Singapore Police Force has been maintaining a group of trained officers ready to be activated for UN peacekeeping missions. In addition to UN peacekeeping, Singapore has participated actively in other multinational peace efforts, most recently assisting with evacuation efforts in Afghanistan this year. Singapore will continue to explore ways in which we can contribute meaningfully and effectively to UN peacekeeping operations.

Mr Chair,

12 Peacekeeping remains integral to the maintenance 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, in full, on time, and without conditions. 

13 To conclude, we look forward to the convening of the 2021 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Seoul in December to take forward the implementation of the A4P+.

14 Thank you.

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