STATEMENT BY MRS. NATALIE Y. MORRIS-SHARMA, COUNSELLOR, PERMANENT MISSION OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE SIXTEENTH MEETING OF THE UNITED NATIONS OPEN-ENDED INFORMAL CONSULTATIVE PROCESS ON OCEANS AND THE LAW OF THE SEA, 6 APRIL 2015

Mr. Co-Chairpersons,

1.        My delegation aligns itself with the statements delivered on behalf of the G77 and China and the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), and is honoured to contribute to the exchange of views with a statement delivered in our national capacity. 

2.        The theme of “Oceans and sustainable development: integration of the three dimensions of sustainable development, namely, environmental, social and economic” is a timely one, particularly as delegations are focused this year on the Post-2015 Development Agenda. 

3.        The General Assembly decided that the proposal of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) shall be the main basis for integrating sustainable development goals into the post-2015 development agenda.  The SDGs include a stand-alone goal on oceans and seas. Singapore has consistently supported a stand-alone goal on oceans and seas.  A stand-alone goal showcases the recognition of States of the importance of the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.  As such, the perspective of sustainable development is certainly one area of oceans affairs and the law of the sea meriting our attention. 

4.        The oceans connect us in so many ways.  For all of us, the oceans are a source of food and nutrition, sustain livelihoods, provide us with energy, facilitate trade and commerce and the transportation of people and goods, and allow us to communicate with each other globally through submarine cables.  It is thus important for us to recognise the inextricable interlinkages between the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainable development, and the need for balance across sometimes competing uses.  In this regard, the discussions this week will be useful to informing our perspectives. 

5.        Throughout our discussions, we should constantly bear in mind three points:

(a)  First, the guidance that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provides us, in its establishment of the legal framework for all activities in the oceans and seas, including the conservation and the sustainable use of the oceans and their resources.  As the Secretary-General has recognised in his report, “[i]ntegration of the environmental, social and economic dimensions is at the core of [UNCLOS]”, and “[e]ffective implementation of the Convention can therefore make a significant contribution to the integration of the three dimensions of sustainable development”. 

(b)  Second, the importance of enhancing coordination and cooperation at the intergovernmental and inter-agency levels on the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and its resources.  Internationally, noting the cross-sectoral concerns, such coordination and cooperation is all the more important, including between divisions within the UN Secretariat and amongst the UN specialised agencies.

(c)  Third, the particular challenges that certain States and groups face when seeking to achieve sustainable development, considering the environmental, social and economic dimensions.  As a small island developing State (SIDS), Singapore appreciates in a very real way the unique and particular vulnerabilities of SIDS.  As was recognised in the SAMOA Pathway, we need to address our minds to these vulnerabilities when we think of how best to achieve sustainable development. 

Mr. Co-Chairpersons,

6.        My delegation is happy to see you co-chair this Process.  Singapore looks forward to the perspectives that will be shared during this week’s series of panel discussions on the theme of this year’s Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea.  We thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive first report on developments and issues relating to ocean affairs and the law of the sea, which will facilitate our discussions this week.

7.        Thank you.

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