STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR BURHAN GAFOOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SINGAPORE ON BEHALF OF THE SMALL STATES GROUP (SSG) AT THE FIRST MEETING OF THE INFORMAL AD HOC WORKING GROUP ON THE MANDATE IMPLEMENTATION REVIEW, 16 SEPTEMBER 2025, TRUSEESHIP COUNCIL CHAMBER

Co-Chairs

          I have the honour to make this statement on behalf of the Small States Group (SSG), a cross-regional grouping of small states comprising developed and developing countries. The list of 52 countries that have aligned with this statement will be circulated after the meeting. But I am pleased to inform members that this statement is supported by a group of 50 countries, and we anticipate that more small states will join future statements in this working group.

2       The SSG welcomes the establishment of the informal ad hoc working group (AHWG) on mandate implementation review. We take this opportunity to congratulate the two Co-Chairs on their appointment; we have every confidence that they will lead the process to a successful outcome.

3        For small states, an effective multilateral system underpinned by respect for the UN Charter and international law, is not an option but an existential necessity. The 80^th anniversary of the founding of the UN is therefore not only a moment for reflection about the future of our multilateral system; it is also an opportunity to reform and re-energise the UN. It is no secret that the multilateral system is under severe stress as a result of geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation, and unilateralism. The establishment of this working group is therefore a timely and essential exercise to reposition the UN and streamline its work to deliver results for all our countries.

4        We wish to make three points. First, the AHWG is a Member-States driven process. It is therefore entirely in our hands to review all aspects of the mandate life cycle, as a means to re-imagine and reposition the UN, and to avoid duplication, enhance efficiency and deliver results on the ground. There is no doubt that all three streams of the UN80 process are interconnected and the success of this process will have an impact on the other two workstreams. With the use of new AI tools, we are better positioned to make sense of the UN mandates landscape in all parts of the UN ecosystem. At this early stage of this process, we believe it is important to keep an open mind, not rule anything out and allow for a discussion of all proposals and perspectives.

5        Second, the AHWG should be forward-looking and ambitious, while avoiding the pitfalls and politicisation that plagued previous UN reform efforts. While we should be ambitious, we should avoid an all or nothing approach.  It is important that we take an incremental and pragmatic approach that can show results. In this regard, our work in this process must be based on data and analyses on the UN’s mandates landscape, which will provide evidence-based insights on how best to move forward. Ultimately, our objective is to achieve the effective implementation of mandates, while avoiding duplication and inefficiencies.  In this regard, our process will strengthen the three pillars of the UN system so that it can deliver what has been agreed and adopted.

6        Third, the success of this working group depends on political will and mutual trust among member states. In this regard, we as a group of small states are committed to participating constructively to finding solutions and to build consensus. We are encouraged by the fact that all Member States have acknowledged the need for a more efficient and stronger UN system. This gives us hope that we can collectively find solutions for the benefit of all our countries and people.

Co-Chairs,

7        The UN80 initiative is an opportunity to imagine a better future for the multilateral system. In order for the UN to continue serving its purpose and our peoples, Member States must take responsibility in reshaping the mandate system which lies at the heart of how the UN functions and works. We stand ready to work with the Co-Chairs and all Member States on achieving a meaningful mandate implementation review, in line with the objectives above.

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