STATEMENT BY MS. JOPHIE TANG, DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SINGAPORE, AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PLENARY MEETING ON AGENDA ITEM 124 “STRENGTHENING OF THE UN SYSTEM”, 21 JULY 2022, NEW YORK

Mr President

1                   We regret that the General Assembly is convening once again in accordance with General Assembly resolution 76/262, so soon after its last meeting just last month.  At that time, and again today, Singapore would like to reiterate its strong and consistent support for a more transparent and effective UN Security Council, one that is accountable and able to respond swiftly and decisively to global crises.

2                  We are meeting today because a permanent member of the Security Council, namely the Russian Federation, cast a veto on a draft resolution on humanitarian access and assistance for the people of Syria.  We recognise that the Council was able to eventually adopt a resolution on the matter, on 12 July 2022. While a solution has been found for the moment for the situation in Syria, we remain concerned that the veto was used to block a resolution on humanitarian assistance.  The use of the veto on this resolution has implications not only for the situation in Syria but also for other humanitarian crises.  This veto sets a bad precedent for the delivery of humanitarian assistance to other regions in the world affected by conflict or natural disasters.  Singapore does not support the politicisation of the delivery of humanitarian assistance to people in need.

3                  My delegation would like to take this opportunity to register our appreciation for the efforts made by the delegations of Ireland and Norway, as elected members of the Security Council and as co-penholders of Resolution 2642 (2022), to find a solution.  We urge all members of the Security Council to work together in a spirit of flexibility on this critical issue.   

Thank you for your attention.

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