STATEMENT BY MS JOPHIE TANG, DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SINGAPORE AT THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL NEGOTIATIONS ON SECURITY COUNCIL REFORM, 19 APRIL 2021

1 The Co-Chairs have asked delegations to comment today on the status of IGN documents. This is an important question, and my delegation welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the discussion.  In this regard, I will make a few brief points.

2 First, from Singapore’s perspective, the outcome of these discussions must ultimately support the objective of making progress on the issue of Security Council reform.  As my delegation has stated before, we believe that the IGN is a process that can produce results if it engages in serious negotiations.  But it will need to produce tangible results urgently to demonstrate that the IGN remains a credible platform to achieve reform.

3 In that context, there needs to be continuity in the process. This means that we must acknowledge and build on the work done and the progress made in past years.  In that regard, the 2015 Framework Document is a significant document that must be preserved because it is a compendium of Member States’ positions on Security Council reform.  It is the most important reference document that should continue to inform our work.  Since 2015, we have built on the common elements of our respective positions set out in the Framework Document, which were captured in the Sylvie Lucas’ elements of convergence paper, and subsequently the various versions of the Revised Elements of Commonality and Issues for Further Consideration papers, the most recent of which was prepared by the Co-Chairs of the IGN73.  This link between the Framework Document and the Revised Elements of Commonality papers is important and must be preserved and continued. 

4 Second, the IGN has had robust discussions over its first three meetings this year.  It will be extremely important to show progress by having an updated version of the Revised Elements of Commonality and Issues for Further Consideration paper from the last version produced in June 2019, almost two years ago.  My delegation is confident in the Co-Chairs’ ability and wisdom to capture the substance and key points of these discussions in an updated and expanded paper.  It goes without saying that regardless of the content of the updated paper, all views must continue to be listened to, and all options on how to proceed should remain on the table and should be captured in the paper. In our view, the key to making progress is to have a single, consolidated draft document to focus our attention and that will facilitate our negotiations.   

5 Third, my delegation does not think it will be particularly productive to have a protracted discussion about the status of IGN documents and whether they should be formal records, informal non-papers or Chairs’ summaries that have no status.  We think it would be more useful to focus on how we can update the Revised Elements of Commonality paper to reflect the key points and clarifications we have heard. If this means expanding more on the sections where there is not yet convergence, then this should be done.  We look forward to receiving the Co-Chairs’ paper that captures the substance and key points expressed, reflects the progress in our discussions, and which should form the basis of our discussions going forward.  Thank you.

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