STATEMENT BY MS CHIA YIHUI, SINGAPORE DELEGATE TO THE 79TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, ON PLENARY AGENDA ITEM 72: STRENGTHENING OF THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AND DISASTER RELIEF ASSISTANCE OF THE UNITED NATIONS, INCLUDING SPECIAL ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE, 9 DECEMBER 2024

Mr President

1 My delegation thanks the Secretary-General for his reports under this agenda-item, which provided a useful overview of the UN’s efforts in strengthening the coordination of humanitarian and disaster relief assistance. My delegation aligns itself with the statement made by Laos on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. I add the following remarks in my national capacity. 

2 Humanitarian and natural disasters have become more frequent and unpredictable. These have inflicted a heavy price on peoples, jeopardised efforts in sustainable development, and require a coordinated global response. More than ever, the UN and its system entities need to remain agile and adaptable to effectively address these evolving challenges. In this regard, Singapore fully supports the work of the Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee’s work in coordinating the UN’s response to emergencies and providing humanitarian relief to those in need. 

3 Singapore is particularly saddened to note that 2024 was the worst year on record for deaths of aid workers, with 282 workers killed thus far. We commend the extraordinary work and courage of all UN aid workers serving in UNRWA, UNIFIL, and UNICEF – to name a few – in conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, Haiti, and Sudan, and their unyielding determination to conduct life-saving work amidst challenges and risks to personal safety. We continue to urge the full, safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access to all civilians in need. Singapore reiterates our support for UN Security Council Resolution 2730, and we call for the respect and protection of all personnel serving on the frontlines in all conflict areas. 

4 Singapore remains committed to strengthening humanitarian coordination in partnerships with governments and non-governmental organisations. The Singapore Government and local non-governmental organisations have worked with governments in Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, and Cyprus, and partners including UNRWA and UNICEF to convey aid to affected civilians in Gaza. We also work with partners such as the Singapore Red Cross to provide humanitarian assistance to other countries, most recently to Bangladesh and Nepal, in response to severe floods. Singapore will continue to work with partners to send assistance to communities affected by natural disasters and conflict.

5 Apart from humanitarian disasters, we are also witnessing an increase in natural disasters. The global threat of climate change has become one of the challenges responsible for extreme natural disasters, compounding humanitarian needs and straining humanitarian response capacities. In particular, Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which are highly vulnerable to climate change, are being hit by more frequent and intense natural disasters. The disaster mortality rate in SIDS is more than double the global average, and SIDS experience economic losses that are seven times higher than other countries. ASEAN also emerges as one of the regions highly impacted by climate change. Between 2009 and 2020, the cost of climate change to ASEAN economies represented an estimated economic loss of $97.3 billion, with the cost of adaptation estimated at $422 billion until 2030. With such daunting consequences, there is urgent need for a coordinated response to strengthen resilience and response capabilities, particularly for climate-vulnerable communities. In this regard, Singapore would like to make three recommendations to achieve the above. 

6 First, we should continue to invest in capacity building to develop resilient communities and exchange knowledge to create a meaningful multiplier effect. Singapore has done so by sharing our knowledge and experiences with other developing countries.  More than 150,000 government officials from over 180 countries, territories, and intergovernmental organisations have participated in courses under the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP) – an umbrella framework for Singapore’s technical cooperation initiatives. Under the SCP, we launched the Sustainability Action Package in 2022 to support the sustainability and climate change efforts of fellow developing countries. More than 1,400 government officials have received training in four key sustainability themes: (a) adaptation and resilience-building strategies; (b) green project management and financing; (c) low carbon development; and (d) carbon markets. We have also stepped-up capacity building programmes on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, as well as sustainable development. For example, Singapore launched the Singapore-Pacific Resilience and Knowledge Sharing package in November 2023 to support the priorities of Pacific Island States in climate resilience, cybersecurity, and international law, as well as the SIDS of Change package in May 2024, to support fellow SIDS in tackling evolving challenges such as harnessing digital technologies for sustainable development. 

7 Second, we should encourage further collaboration with non-governmental stakeholders who have a key role to play in ameliorating natural disasters. An example in our region is the Southeast Asia Disaster Risk Insurance Facility (SEADRIF), which was established as an ASEAN+3 initiative in partnership with the World Bank to provide disaster and climate resilience solutions to ASEAN Member States. Singapore has supported this initiative, which brings together the public and private sectors to provide technical capacity building, insurance solutions structuring, and risk modelling support.

8 Third, we should harness technology to better predict hazards and disasters. In this context, Singapore was pleased to be designated as a World Meteorological Organization Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre for Vegetation Fire and Smoke Pollution forecasts in June 2024. This supports ongoing efforts to bolster ASEAN’s ability to address climate and environment-related hazards. We encourage greater collaboration between Member States and relevant UN entities and stakeholders in such technical initiatives that would support decision-making in disaster management and emergency response. 

Mr President,

9 We must be prepared for more frequent and severe disasters in the years ahead. We can only overcome these transboundary challenges by strengthening our collective resilience and ability to prevent and respond to these disasters. Singapore remains committed to working with all stakeholders so as to leave no one behind. 

10 Thank you. 

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