STATEMENT BY MR NATHANIEL KHNG, COUNSELLOR (LEGAL), PERMANENT MISSION OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 16 ON OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL ISSUES, THIRD SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GROUP OF EXPERTS ON GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES, 5 MAY 2023

Mr Chair,

1 My delegation would like to express our appreciation to you and the Bureau for your work throughout this week.

2 Singapore has found the discussions very helpful.  The papers presented and the views exchanged have enhanced our knowledge of how other States have gone about the task of standardising the use of geographical names. Singapore notes that various charts and maps have been included within the working papers that were submitted. Some of these charts and maps contain depictions of maritime and territorial claims and boundaries that other States might not agree with. However, paragraph 3 in Section II of the Guiding Principles in the Rules of Procedure of this Group make it clear that this forum is not the appropriate place to discuss or endorse such issues. Hence, Singapore wishes to reserve our position on the depictions of any maritime and territorial claims and boundaries in the working papers submitted. We believe that other States at the Session may also share our reservation and we can proceed with this meeting with that common understanding.

3 Thank you.

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