REMARKS BY MR MARK SEAH, DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SINGAPORE, AT INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE WITH AMBASSADOR PHILEMON YANG INCOMING PGA CANDIDATE TRUSTEESHIP COUNCIL, UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK 8 MAY 2024

Mr President,

          Thank you for convening today’s dialogue. 

2 My delegation appreciates this engagement with Ambassador Philemon Yang.  Such dialogues foster transparency and inclusivity, which my delegation has cnsistently advocated. As the candidate noted, the General Assembly is the United Nations’ most universal body, and the PGA has a role ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard.

3 On inclusivity, my delegation calls for the PGA to pay special attention to the constraints of small states, who form the majority of the UN.  It is crucial for the PGA to keep small states regularly updated, and use the General Committee to coordinate and minimise overlapping processes. We welcome the candidate’s commitment to hold consultations and maintain contact with various regional or functional groups.

4 We also emphasise that the GA should be transparent. Singapore will continue to work with other Member States and the PGA to improve the working methods of the GA, including through the consistent application of the GA’s rules of procedure.

Mr President,

5 Allow me to pose two questions to the candidate:

6 First, how do you intend to incorporate science, technology and innovation into his priorities? Second, what can your office do to ensure that developments in science and technology such as ICTs and AI can benefit all Member States, especially small states and developing countries?

7 Thank you, and be assured of our full support of your mandate.

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