STATEMENT BY MS KAREN ONG, DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS AT THE 79TH UNGA PLENARY SESSION ON ITEM 121 (A/79/995) ON THE ADOPTION OF THE REPORT OF THE AD HOC WORKING GROUP ON THE REVITALIZATION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 5 SEPTEMBER 2025, UNHQ, NEW YORK

Mr. President,

          My delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered by Algeria on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. I would like to express our appreciation to the Co-Facilitators – the Permanent Representatives of South Africa and Romania - for their leadership of this important process. While negotiations have not been easy, their dedication to the work of the Ad Hoc Working Group has allowed us to arrive at the consensus text we have before us.

2        Singapore welcomes the adoption of the resolution on the Revitalization of the General Assembly. It addresses several important issues that are of keen interest to many delegations. While not perfect, it represents our collective efforts to strengthen the role and effectiveness of the General Assembly, as the chief deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the UN, and enhance its relationship with other key organs of the UN. This is both timely and necessary as we seek to build a stronger and more efficient Organisation. My delegation would like to make three points.

3        First, we welcome the action-oriented proposals in the resolution to streamline the working methods of the General Assembly and its main committees. As a small delegation, efforts like encouraging the reduction of the frequency, length, number of resolutions and the One Gavel approach are all steps in the right direction. We should not view them as curtailing the sovereign rights of Member States to speak or present issues. Rather, their objective must be to help ensure that all Member States have the resources and capacity to be more strategic and focus on the most pressing global issues before this Organisation. 

4        Second, we must ensure complementarity and coherence between the UN80 and GA Revitalization processes. Put simply, the proposals in this resolution must be undertaken with a view to our work in the UN80 reform process. As we recently adopted the decision to establish the Ad Hoc Working Group on Mandate Implementation Review, its work and the Working Group on GA Revitalization should be mutually reinforcing, with the aim to avoid the duplication and proliferation of processes. The measure of the successful implementation of mandates should not depend on the number of meetings we convene but on the tangible delivery of results on the ground to our people.

5        Third, we continue to support the efforts to strengthen the relationship between the General Assembly and the Security Council. While we recognise and respect the respective mandates of both organs, the General Assembly plays a critical role in the setting of norms, standards and in the development of international law. It expresses the will of the entire UN membership. It should therefore continue to play its rightful role in the discussion of matters of international peace and security. We commend the meaningful progress made in this resolution to support timely and decisive action by the Security Council in the exercise of its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, including for Member States to refrain from measures that impede action to prevent or end the commission of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. We also welcome the progress made in the establishment of more predictability and structure in the nomination and selection process of the Secretary General. This ultimately benefits both the candidates and all Member States, especially as we prepare for the appointment of the next Secretary General.

Mr President,

6             A strong, future-ready UN begins with a more efficient and effective General Assembly at its core. For Singapore and many small states, the process of GA Revitalization and reform of the UN are critical to making our Organisation stronger and more responsive. Singapore remains committed to working constructively with all Member States to implement the commitments outlined in this resolution. We must ensure that the UN and multilateral system are fit for purpose, future ready and equipped to deliver results in all three pillars under the UN Charter. 

7             Thank you.

.    .    .    .    .