STATEMENT BY FIRST SECRETARY MR VIVEK GANESH, PERMANENT MISSION OF SINGAPORE TO THE UN, 104th PLENARY MEETING OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AGENDA 121 ‘QUESTION OF EQUITABLE REPRESENTATION ON AND INCREASE IN THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL AND OTHER MATTERS RELATED TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL’, 27 AUGUST 2024

Thank you, Mr President,

Singapore thanks the Co-Chairs for their tireless work and effort this session.  This was a particularly difficult session, as the IGN was tasked to draft input for the Pact for the Future which was acceptable to all.  We have been through six revisions, and this speaks to the Co-Chairs’ patience and persistence, as well as efforts of Member States to reach compromise on the input despite differing views.

This year, the Co-Chairs gave the various proponents the opportunity to present their models, and Member States had the opportunity to discuss and respond to these presentations.  These discussions have contributed to a better understanding of the various positions; however, it is clear that despite many rounds of discussion, significant gaps remain between the various proposals.

Still, we must keep taking incremental steps toward building convergence and consensus.  As the latest Co-Chairs’ elements paper noted, a large number of our leaders and ministers have referred to the need for reform of the Council, and this renewed urgency has resulted in a high number of meetings as well as novel interactive discussions. 

Mr President,

Singapore’s position on Security Council reform is clear: expansion in both categories, no veto for new permanent members, that all members of the Council should reaffirm their commitment to the UN Charter and international law, and commit not to use the veto if party to a dispute, in accordance with Article 27 (3) of the UN Charter. 

We have also made clear that any model eventually chosen must not reduce the opportunity for small states to be elected to the Council.  However, we are disappointed that not all elements of our position have made it into the paper. Nevertheless, we welcomed this year’s opportunity to discuss cross-regional seats, and the fact that this years’ elements paper once again reiterates the need for increased representation of small-and-medium-sized states, including Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

The co-Chairs have done an excellent job given the difficulty of the task.  From Singapore’s perspective, the raison d’etre for reform is to enhance the Council’s representativeness, accountability, and ability to discharge its primary role to maintain international peace and security.  We therefore support the rollover of our work to the 79^th session and urge fellow Member States to take stock of this session’s discussions and consider how to move this process forward.

Thank you.

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