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New York UN

STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR BURHAN GAFOOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SINGPAORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS AT THE 79TH UNGA PLENARY ON THE ADOPTION OF THE DRAFT DECISION TO ESTABLISH AN AD HOC WORKING GROUP (AHWG) OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSALS CONTAINED IN THE MANDATE IMPLEMENTATION REVIEW REPORT, 4 SEPTEMBER 2025, UNHQ, NEW YORK

4 September 2025

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Mr. President, 

1 Singapore welcomes the adoption of the draft decision on Tuesday, 2 September 2025. We also welcome the establishment of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Mandate Implementation Review, and in particular we welcome the appointment of the two co-facilitators, the Permanent Representatives of New Zealand and Jamaica to assume leadership of this important Ad Hoc Working Group. We have every confidence that they will lead an effective and inclusive process.  

2 We thank the President of the General Assembly for your leadership in putting forward this important decision. The adoption of the decision sends a positive signal, and it reflects a collective commitment to work together to build a stronger and more effective UN.   

Mr. President, 

3 The adoption of the decision marks an important step forward for all of us here in the General Assembly. As we begin the process of mandate implementation review, it is important to look at this process as a strategic and timely opportunity to build confidence among Member States, and to rebuild trust and support for the multilateral system as a whole. Most importantly, this process is an opportunity to make the UN and the multilateral system fit for purpose, future ready and one that delivers results across all three pillars of the UN Charter.  

Mr. President,

4 The success and relevance of the UN80 process will be judged by our ability to deliver concrete and visible results. The expectations are high. We need to take a pragmatic approach, but also an approach that can show some early results. Most importantly, we need to be guided by the approach of avoiding duplication and a proliferation of processes. We need to keep in mind that the successful implementation of mandates is not dependent on the number of meetings we convene here at the UN or by the number of reports that are published by the Secretariat, but success rather, is determined by action and delivery that show results on the ground to our people. In this regard, please allow me to make three concrete points:

5 First, the Working Group should identify concrete measures that can be implemented quickly and effectively. We need concrete recommendations that can have an impact on the efficiency of our work across UN bodies, as well as mandate delivery in the field.

6 Second, we need to base our discussions on data and facts. In this regard, we see the need for more information to make progress in our discussions in the Ad Hoc Working Group. For example, it would be useful for the Secretariat to provide existing data identifying duplications and overlapping reporting requirements and meetings, so that Member States, in the context of intergovernmental negotiations, can make informed discussions.

7 Finally, as we have previously stated, Singapore supports the development of a digital registry and AI-based tools to assist Member States in the process of mandate creation and review. These tools must be transparent and accessible to all delegations, and we ask that the Secretariat consider providing training for Member States to use these tools effectively. 

Mr. President,

8 Let me conclude by saying that Singapore will participate constructively in the Working Group and we will also support the two co-chairs to ensure that the Working Group’s recommendations are pragmatic and contribute to improving coordination and impact across the lifecycle of mandates. For Singapore, and for many small states, the UN80 process is not only timely, but it is critical to making the UN stronger and more responsive. We, as a delegation, are committed to making this process a success and we look forward to working closely not only with the two co-facilitators, but with all Member States here in the General Assembly, to find pragmatic solutions and to build consensus.

9 Thank you.

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