STATEMENT BY AMB BURHAN GAFOOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SINGAPORE AT HIGH-LEVEL MEETING ON PEACEBUILDING AND SUSTAINING PEACE, 25 APRIL 2018

Thank you Mr President.

1.                  We join our colleagues in commending you for convening this High-Level Meeting, and the Secretary-General's efforts to advance our common efforts across the peace continuum _^[1]. Singapore welcomes this opportunity for Member States and stakeholders to exchange views and experiences on the efforts undertaken thus far, and what more can be done to strengthen the important work of peacebuilding and sustaining peace.  We look forward to a productive discussion on how Member States and the UN system can work together towards a more coordinated approach to the work of the United Nations, in order to achieve the objectives laid out in the Charter.  I would like to make three points.

2.                  First, national ownership lies at the heart of the peacebuilding and sustaining peace agenda. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. In our effort to advance the 2030 Agenda, and to support peace and development, we must have an appreciation for the unique domestic and regional context of each country. The United Nations works best when supporting national governments in achieving national priorities. Only then can our efforts take root, and be truly sustainable.

Mr President,

3.                  In 1965, Singapore was a small, vulnerable country, newly thrust into a sudden and entirely unexpected independence. We had no natural resources to speak of. Unemployment was high and internal strife dogged our early years. During that time, Singapore worked with the UNDP to develop our economy, and build a public service founded on good governance and strong institutions.

4.                  Having received help in our early years, Singapore now works with the UN and other partners to give back to the international community through our technical assistance initiatives. For example, we launched a Sustainable Development Programme under the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP) to support the 2030 Agenda. These included partnerships with UNDP, UN Habitat, UNICEF and UN Water to provide programmes, training and consultancy on leadership, sustainable cities, and water and sanitation, amongst others. We have trained more than 119,000 officials from over 170 developing countries since the SCP was started in 1992.

5.                  Second, regional organisations can play an important role in fostering peace and development in the region. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN, which Singapore has the honor to chair this year, has played a critical role in fostering peace and stability in Southeast Asia since its’ founding in 1967. Southeast Asia is a diverse region with many cultures, languages, and histories. ASEAN has been the foundation on which we have built 51 years of peace and stability across the region, and the centre of a wider regional architecture including groupings such as ASEAN Plus Three, the East Asia Summit, and various dialogue partnerships. On the international stage, ASEAN works with the United Nations through the ASEAN-UN Plan of Action across multiple areas, including peacebuilding and development. 

6.                  My third point is that Singapore supports the Secretary-General's goal to build a better United Nations that can effectively implement its mandates, including in peacebuilding and sustaining peace across the continuum. Reform of the United Nations must be focused on outcomes and make a real difference on the ground. Only then can the UN continue to be a credible champion for the cause of sustaining peace, and the backbone of the multilateral system. In the words of the Secretary-General, this requires leadership, accountability, and capacity. It is critical that the Secretariat and Member States alike take real ownership of the reform process. Singapore also welcomes the Secretary-General's commitment to making accountability a fundamental part of the United Nations' work.

7.                  As we demand more from the United Nations and ask for a more accountable, responsive, and flexible UN, we must answer the Secretary-General's call to provide the Organisation with the resources that it needs. Especially on the question of peacebuilding and sustaining peace, it is past time to look at how the peace continuum can be best supported by the financial and administrative structures that are currently in place. It is not enough to support peace with words. We must also do so through our actions.

8.                  I thank you.

_{[1] From Prevention, Conflict Resolution and Peacekeeping to Peacebuilding and long-term development.}