STATEMENT BY MR JEREMY CHAN, DELEGATE TO THE 80TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON AGENDA ITEM 51, FOURTH COMMITTEE, 11 NOVEMBER 2025

Mr Chair 

1        My delegation expresses our gratitude to you and your team for the work on strengthening UN peacekeeping operations. 

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

Mr Chair 

3        For almost eight decades, the Blue Helmets have been a symbol of the UN’s commitment to building and maintaining peace around the world. The brave men and women who serve in the field, often in remote and dangerous locations, deserve our commendation and profound respect for their dedication to preventing violence, protecting civilians, and facilitating the delivery of life-saving humanitarian aid to those most in need. 

4        Amidst sharpening geopolitical tensions and uncertainties, the evolving nature of conflicts and threat environments have rendered the work of our peacekeepers far more complex today. Their tasks are no longer confined to observing ceasefires; “multidimensional peacekeeping” means that they are also called upon to facilitate complex political processes, assist in the disarmament and reintegration of former combatants, and help restore stability and the rule of law. UN peacekeepers also face new or emerging threats, including asymmetric attacks by non-state actors, disinformation campaigns weakening local support for their missions and undermining trust in their mandates and efforts, as well as climate vulnerabilities that exacerbate already difficult conditions on the ground. In the face of these interlocking challenges, peacekeeping operations must adapt to the 21^st century. They must become more agile, efficient and tailored to local contexts while continuing to ensure the safety of peacekeeping personnel. 

5        Against this backdrop, Singapore commends the progress made under the Secretary-General’s Action for Peacekeeping Plus (A4P+) initiatives in modernising and streamlining UN peacekeeping operations. The principles and lessons learnt from A4P+ continue to be relevant in the broader context of the UN80 reform process currently underway. They constitute a solid foundation upon which we can advance our efforts to make UN peacekeeping operations more effective and aligned with current realities and challenges. This can be done by having clearer and more focused mandates, better aligning mandates with capabilities, and harnessing synergies between peacekeeping and the UN’s humanitarian and development work. Singapore also sees potential in the drive towards innovative, data-driven and tech-enabled peacekeeping, as outlined in the Strategy for the Digital Transformation of UN Peacekeeping. The continued implementation of the Strategy is particularly salient given the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, which if applied appropriately, could help improve and streamline international peacekeeping efforts. As we continue our efforts to strengthen future peace operations, we must also look to integrate elements of preventive diplomacy, mediation, and peacebuilding, so that a more sustainable model of peacekeeping can emerge, through early intervention, that mitigates conflict escalation. 

6        As a small country with limited resources, Singapore remains committed to international peacekeeping efforts and participates where we believe we can make useful contributions. Singapore was the seventh country in the world to sign the Memorandum of Understanding on UN Standby Arrangements in 1997, and since then, have always stood ready to contribute planning officers, military observers, medical personnel, and police officers to peacekeeping missions abroad. 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. Through these efforts, Singapore has accumulated experience in specific peacekeeping domains like the provision of medical support, military advisors for national reconciliation, and the supervision of UN-sponsored elections. 

Mr Chair, 

7        In today’s fragmented and turbulent world, UN peacekeeping remains an integral pillar of international peace and stability. Its continued viability and success, however, ultimately depends on the support of Member States. Even as we pursue reform and operational efficiencies, our peacekeepers must continue to be provided with the necessary resources and capabilities to deliver on their mandates so that we can all live in a safer and more secure world. 

8                 Thank you.