STATEMENT BY MR MARK NEO, DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE, PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS (UN), AT THE 69TH UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AGENDA ITEM 13, ON THE SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES ACCELERATED MODALITIES OF ACTION (SAMOA PATHWAY), 14 NOVEMBER 2014

Thank you Mr President,

1                 At the outset, Singapore aligns itself with the statement made by Nauru on behalf of AOSIS.

Mr President,

2                 It was just over two months ago that Samoa hosted the highly successful Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States held in Apia, from 1 to 4 September 2014.  Our warmest congratulations and heartfelt thanks to the government and the people of Samoa for their wonderful hospitality and for ensuring that the Conference was a resounding success.

3                 The adoption of the SAMOA Pathway by the Conference was the culmination of many months of hard work by all stakeholders involved. It was also a testament to the goodwill and spirit of international cooperation that was so evident during the negotiation process. As Co-Chair of the Preparatory Committee of the Conference, Singapore was privileged to play a small role, by ensuring that the negotiations on the SAMOA Pathway were concluded in a timely fashion in New York.

Mr President,

4                 While the Conference is over, we need to keep the momentum and focus on the full implementation of the SAMOA Pathway and the many partnerships launched at the Conference.  In this regard, Singapore sees the adoption of the SAMOA Pathway by the General Assembly as a crucial milestone. It will signal the international community’s continued commitment and resolve in ensuring the full implementation of the SAMOA Pathway.   

Mr President,

5                 Singapore is happy to do its part to realise the SAMOA Pathway. Singapore has prepared a dedicated three-year technical cooperation package for SIDS, under the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP), to provide more customised technical assistance and fellowships in areas that are relevant to SIDS’ capacity building needs. This includes customised programmes for senior SIDS officials in areas such as sustainable development and climate change, disaster management and public health, and non-traditional security.  Singapore will also offer one hundred and fifty civil aviation fellowships for courses at the Singapore Aviation Academy and thirty fellowship awards for the Maritime Public Leaders’ Programme, conducted by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. 

6                 We hope that these programmes will contribute meaningfully to the implementation of the SAMOA Pathway through capacity building and increasing resilience. Singapore stands ready to work with our fellow SIDS and other partners in fully realising the SAMOA Pathway.

7                 Thank you, Mr President.

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