STATEMENT BY MR MARK SEAH, DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 120: “REVITALIZATION OF THE WORK OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY”, 10 NOVEMBER 2023

Thank you, Mr President,

1 My delegation aligns with the statements delivered by Malaysia on behalf of ASEAN and Algeria on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.  We congratulate Ambassador Cornel Feruta, PR of Romania, and Ambassador Menissa Rambally, PR of St Lucia, on their appointment as co-chairs of the Ad-Hoc Working Group on GA Revitalisation, and assure them of our delegation’s support.  We also thank their predecessors, PR of El Salvador Ambassador Egriselda Lopez, and former PR of Australia Ambassador Mitch Fifield, for their leadership during the past Session. 

Mr President,

2 When we had this debate a year ago, my delegation had observed that these were troubled times and that the UNSC was not always able to discharge its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Recent developments have shown that this is still the case. And these challenges are layered on top of what Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has termed the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.  In order to address these challenges, we need a strong and future-ready rules-based multilateral system, with the United Nations at its core.

3 In turn, the United Nations needs a strong and revitalised General Assembly at its core.  It is the only UN organ with universal representation, where all member states, regardless of size, have an equal role and voice. Even though not binding, General Assembly resolutions play an important role in setting norms, creating standards, developing international law and in expressing the collective will of nations.  This is why Singapore has constantly advocated for and strongly supported revitalizing the General Assembly. Allow me to make two observations and three suggestions.

Mr President,

4 In terms of observations, I am pleased that our Ad Hoc Working Group has achieved some tangible results.  First, we have brought forward the opening of the General Assembly by a week, giving more time to incoming Presidents of the General Assembly and Chairs of the Main Committee to plan, prepare and coordinate. 

5 Second, Resolution 77/335 “requests the Secretary General to submit a proposal ... on additional positions, funded through the regular budget and on extending the current overlap period by an additional month for all general temporary assistance positions in the Office of the President of the General Assembly”.  This was strongly supported by my delegation, which worked with many in this room to uphold the boldness and ambition of the previous Co-Chairs, who inserted this proposal in the zero draft.  Let us now work to carry out our collective undertaking and ensure that these positions are adequately resourced. 

Mr President,

6 In terms of suggestions, my first point is that we should uphold transparency and apply the Rules of Procedure in letter and in spirit.  [As noted by ASEAN], my delegation was likewise recently dismayed that a simple request for information on which country had called for a recorded vote in the First Committee was not responded to, because of an unusual practice of anonymity started 12 years ago.  Such a practice of anonymous requests for recorded votes go against the UN’s principles of transparency and openness, and do not help to build trust and confidence among Member States. It is important for all Member States  to address this issue in the relevant Committee, and in the next iteration of the GA Revitalisation resolution.

7 Second, and relatedly, we should go further to ensure that the selection and appointment of the Secretary-General is indeed guided by the principles of transparency and inclusiveness, as stressed in OP 58 of Resolution 77/335.  As mentioned in our 30th June statement on the UNSC’s annual report, my delegation had put forward a proposal during negotiations on resolution 77/335, “to outline and describe the process for the selection of the UN Secretary-General”. This was a simple proposal intended to introduce greater transparency in the selection process of the Secretary-General.  It was regrettable that the five permanent members blocked this proposal ostensibly because they saw it as a threat to their privilege of making decisions behind closed doors.  I urge our friends in the P5 to see such proposals in a different and positive light, in line with the sentiments expressed in OP58 of Resolution 77/335.

8 Lastly, as many delegations have expressed, we need to protect the primacy of the General Debate during High Level Week.  The proliferation of high-level meetings was particularly acute at the 78^th High-Level Week. It is impossible for small countries with small delegations to follow the Debate and participate meaningfully in a plethora of parallel events.   I urge all delegations to uphold the principles we have agreed upon in Annex II of Resolution 77/335 and voluntarily limit the load that we place on High Level Week.

Mr President,

9 A better UN will benefit us all.  Let us keep working to revitalize the work of this Assembly, and enhance its credibility, accountability, and effectiveness, so as to uphold the primacy of the General Assembly as the most inclusive and representative organ of the UN, for the benefit of each and every one of us.

10 Thank you for your attention.

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