STATEMENT BY MR. LUKE TANG, COUNSELLOR, PERMANENT MISSION OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE EIGHTEENTH MEETING OF THE UNITED NATIONS OPEN-ENDED INFORMAL CONSULTATIVE PROCESS ON OCEANS AND THE LAW OF THE SEA, 18 MAY 2017

Mr. Co-Chairpersons,

1.        My delegation would like to congratulate you on your appointment as Co-Chairs of the eighteenth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea. We express our full support for your work and leadership throughout this process.  We also thank the Secretary-General and his team for preparing a clear and comprehensive report, which facilitated our discussions this week. We further acknowledge with appreciation the outstanding work of the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea.

2.        My delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the G77 and China, and is honoured to contribute to the exchange of views with a statement delivered in our national capacity.

Mr. Co-Chairpersons,

3.        The theme of this year’s ICP, “The effects of climate change on oceans”, is an important and timely one, particularly in view of the United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14, which will be taking place in June this year.  The theme of this year’s ICP reflects the interconnectedness between the ocean and the earth’s climate, and illustrates the interlinkages between Goal 14, on oceans, and Goal 13, on climate change.

4.        Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. Its harmful effects, such as ocean warming, ocean acidification as well as consequent impacts such as sea level rise, cannot be overstated, especially where small island developing States such as ours are concerned. With most of Singapore being within 15 metres above sea level and 30% of our island being less than 5 metres above sea level, any additional rise in sea level caused by climate change is an immediate threat. The rich marine biodiversity in Singapore, which is home to more than 250 species of corals, is also under threat from effects such as rising sea surface temperatures and ocean acidification.

5.        In July 2016, Singapore launched our Climate Action Plan, which details our plans to adapt to the impacts of climate change. For example, a bleaching monitoring programme has been initiated at our Sisters’ Islands Marine Park. Findings from this programme can be used to develop targeted measures to protect the most ecologically-sensitive groups of marine animals and plants. The Action plan also sets out the key tenets of our approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency to meet our 2030 pledge, as well as our strategies to enhance our resilience to climate change.

6.        Beyond our efforts at the national level, we recognise that climate change is a global challenge that requires a global response. In this regard, we underscore the importance of this week’s discussions, which adds not only to a greater understanding of the effects of climate change on oceans, but also facilitates an exchange of ideas on how cooperation and coordination can be enhanced at all levels.

7.        We wish to emphasize three points that should be borne in mind not only for the remainder of our discussions here this week, but also for any further discussions we may have going forward on the issue of the effects of climate change on oceans:

(a)        First, that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is the legal framework for all activities in the oceans and seas.  As the Secretary-General pointed out in his report, “the effective implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and related instruments on the protection and preservation of the marine environment and the conservation and management of living marine resources contributes to enhancing the absorptive capacity of oceans as carbon sinks and to reaching mitigation targets under the Paris Agreement, while also ensuring that oceans are resilient to the impacts of climate change”.

(b)        Second, that it is important to enhance cooperation and coordination at all levels and across different sectors.

(c)        Third, that certain States and groups face particular challenges in addressing impacts of climate change.  As a small island developing State, Singapore appreciates in a very real way the unique and particular vulnerabilities of SIDS.  We need to address our minds to these vulnerabilities in our discussions.

Mr. Co-Chairpersons,

8.        Finally, my delegation wishes to express its thanks to the distinguished panellists for their contributions over the past three days, which have served to enhance our understanding on this issue and have enriched the global discussion in this regard.

9.        I thank you for your attention.

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