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New York UN

STATEMENT BY MR JOSEPH TEO, DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS ON PLENARY AGENDA ITEM 121 ON REVITALISATION OF THE WORK OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 13 NOVEMBER 2017

13 November 2017

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Mr President,


1            Let me first convey our deepest sympathies to the Government and People of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Iraq for the earthquake that struck their respective countries, which sadly claimed the lives of many and caused widespread destruction in their countries.  We convey our heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families and wish the injured a speedy recovery.


Mr President,


2            I would like to thank you for convening this plenary debate early in your presidency and for giving priority to the issue of revitalisation of the work of the General Assembly.  



3            I join previous speakers in congratulating Ambassador Valdimir Drobnjak of Croatia and Ambassador Maria Emma Mejia Velez of Colombia on their appointment as the new co-chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly during the 72nd Session of the UNGA. We are confident that they will continue to lead the work of Ad Hoc Working Group in an inclusive, transparent and efficient manner, and that we will make further progress under their leadership.


 Mr President,


4            The revitalisation of the work of the General Assembly is an important issue for many states, including my own.  As a small state, Singapore has been a strong supporter of a more efficient, effective, accountable United Nations and the General Assembly.  Our work here must be to reinforce the General Assembly’s role and its authority.  Naturally, we have consistently championed a revitalised General Assembly.  Over the years, the work of the General Assembly has undoubtedly increased, not simply in volume, but also in scope and depth.  Revitalisation of the General Assembly is therefore crucial in ensuring that it keeps abreast with the challenges of the day, and is able to discharge its responsibilities as the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the United Nations. 



5            In the midst of the slow and difficult negotiations elsewhere in the United Nations, the work of the Ad Hoc Working Group has stood out as a lodestar of progress.  Over the last three years, we have adopted by consensus three milestone resolutions that collectively serve to strengthen the authority and credibility of the General Assembly and the Office of the President of the General Assembly.   



6            We made further progress this year under the able leadership of the Permanent Representatives of Croatia and the UAE, and I take this opportunity to congratulate them.  The decisions taken this year have led to quick and practical improvements on the ground.  For example, we now have clearly printed ballot papers with new guidelines on the distribution of election campaign materials on election day that have greatly improved our election process in the General Assembly. As a result of these improved procedures, none of the votes cast for the recent Human Rights Council elections were invalid.  To my delegation, this was a visible demonstration of how the work of the Ad Hoc Working Group can make a positive impact in our work here in the General Assembly. 



7            We also welcome the other improvements which resulted from decisions adopted in resolution 71/323, including many of our proposals, such as hand-over meetings between the outgoing and incoming teams of the Chairs of the Main Committees. These decisions will help to improve the efficiency, complementarity, and transparency of the work of the General Assembly for the benefit of all, particularly small states. 



Mr President,


8            While the progress achieved these last few years is commendable, we must not rest on our laurels.  It is important for us to build on this positive momentum and continue our efforts to improve the work of the General Assembly and its processes on the basis of consensus.  



9            First, we must build on the improvements we have made in the working methods of the General Assembly, notably the election process.  In this regard, we look forward to elaborating on a code of conduct to guide the conduct of Member States during electoral campaigns.  Our overriding goal is to ensure that current practices of election campaigns at the UN do not inadvertently lead to an escalating spiral of costs, as each competing delegation try to outdo the campaigns of others, as this would put smaller developing countries,  at a disadvantage.  Campaigns should ideally focus on the quality of the candidates and their ability to contribute to the work of the body that they are seeking membership.  It should be less about the gifts, or lavish receptions.



10            Second, improvements in the selection and appointment process of senior UN officials must not stop with the Secretary-General but must extend to all other senior appointments within the organisation.  We call on the Secretary-General to make appointments based on merit, taking into account gender and geographical balance, while ensuring also the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity.  There should not be any monopoly on senior posts in the United Nations system by any nationality or by any group of countries.



11            Third, we need to continue with our work to ensure that the work of the General Assembly is fit for purpose.   One priority is to ensure that the agendas of the General Assembly and its Main Committees and the Economic and Social Council, work coherently to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda), which is important for many developing countries.  We therefore look forward to working with you, Mr President, both as a member of the General Committee and as an interested delegation, to develop practical proposals aimed at addressing gaps and duplication in the agenda of the General Assembly as they relate to the 2030 Agenda. 



Mr President,


12            We have made some suggestions in order to further advance progress in the Ad Hoc Working Group.  My delegation will work with you, as well as the new Co-Chairs and other delegations in our joint endeavour to further enhance the transparency, accountability, efficiency and legitimacy of the General Assembly. 



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