STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR BURHAN GAFOOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON THE QUESTION OF EQUITABLE REPRESENTATION AND INCREASE IN THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL AND OTHER MATTERS RELATED TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL UNDER AGENDA ITEM 127, 16 NOVEMBER 2020

Mr President

1 I join others to thank the Co-Chairs of the Inter-Governmental Negotiations on Security Council Reform during the 74th session, Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh of the United Arab Emirates and Ambassador Joanna Wronecka of Poland, for their efforts in trying to take the IGN process forward during the extremely challenging conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. I would also like to congratulate Ambassador Alya Ahmed Saif Al-Thani of Qatar on her appointment, and Ambassador Wronecka on her reappointment, as the Co-Chairs of the IGN process for the 75th session.

2 Today’s meeting of the General Assembly to debate Security Council reform and the work of the IGN process is the first time since early March that this issue is being discussed.  The COVID-19 pandemic has unfortunately delayed the work of the IGN.  In the year the UN celebrated its 75th anniversary, it is disappointing that the IGN process could not produce any outcome.  This was a lost year and another lost opportunity for the IGN process.  This means that the IGN process has a lot of catching up to do when it begins the next cycle of meetings.

3 From Singapore’s point of view, reform of the Security Council is needed to make the UN effective, efficient and responsive.  The international community needs a Security Council that is able to act swiftly and decisively when confronted with global crises.  This discussion on Security Council reform here in the General Assembly, and in the IGN process, is therefore an important part of strengthening the multilateral rules-based system.

4 The IGN must resume its work as soon as possible.  Further, we believe that the IGN must be prepared to work in virtual format if necessary, in the event in-person meetings become impossible due to a further deterioration of the COVID-19 situation.  We believe it is important to keep up the informal discussions, even if it is in virtual format, so as to build trust and confidence among delegations.  Our concern is that if informal discussions were to stop, there could be a breakdown of trust and confidence in the IGN process, and we do not want this to happen.  In this regard, we are also of the view that it is not the number of meetings that is important but the quality of the discussions.  My delegation will be open to more meetings if they can be helpful to contribute to progress.  We will be guided by the two Co-Facilitators in this regard. However, my delegation would not be in favour of additional meetings just so that all of us can repeat well-known positions that we have all heard before.

5 Singapore has reiterated its position on Security Council reform each year at the annual debate on this item in the General Assembly.  We believe that reform of the Security Council is necessary to ensure that it remains credible, that it is accountable, and that its decisions enjoy legitimacy.  The composition of the Council must therefore reflect current realities and the diversity of the UN membership.   There must be greater geographical representation and inclusivity in the Council, especially from under-represented regions, such as Africa.

6 Singapore continues to support the expansion of both the permanent and non-permanent categories of membership.  However, the IGN process must not become an exercise that only accommodates the interests of the large and medium-sized countries.  In any reform exercise, small states should not be disadvantaged or further marginalised. In this regard, we believe it is important to enhance opportunities for small states, in particular Small Island Developing States, to be represented on the Council.  It is notable that the overwhelming majority of UN Member States that have not yet served on the Security Council are indeed small states.  This month, the Security Council is being presided by one of the smallest nations in the world, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.  However, this is a very rare occurrence and we have to find ways for other small states to have the opportunity to serve in the Security Council in the future.

7 Next year will mark the 13th year of discussions on Security Council reform in the IGN format.  The urgency for the IGN to produce concrete results cannot be emphasised enough.  If we are unable to make tangible progress, then we will have to ask ourselves some hard questions. Is the IGN a vehicle that is capable of facilitating Security Council reform?  Or has the IGN become an outdated mechanism that facilitates the maintenance of the status quo? The answer to this question will depend very much on what we are able to achieve in the IGN process this year and next.

8 The key point to note is that we should not damage the credibility and legitimacy of the IGN process.  In our view, there are merits to the IGN process, such as its informal and inter-governmental nature.  It is not a given that a shift to a more formal process will guarantee success. However, if the IGN process is to be regarded as credible and effective, then it must deliver some signs of progress and take steps forward.    In this regard, it is also important to have a single, consolidated draft document to focus our attention and facilitate text-based negotiations. To be frank, it will be difficult to take the IGN process seriously if, year after year, it is not able to show any signs of progress.

Mr President,

9 I will make three points on what my delegation would like to see from next year’s and this year’s resumption of the IGN process.

10 First, it is critical that Member States acknowledge and build on the work and progress of previous years, and we must expand the areas of convergence to find compromises in the areas where there continue to be differences.  Singapore continues to view the 2015 Framework Document as the most important reference document that reflects Member States’ views on Security Council reform. The Framework Document should continue to inform our work even as we move discussions forward on the basis of the Revised Elements of Commonality and Issues for Further Consideration.  At the same time, we must continue to listen to the views of all Member States and ensure that all options remain on the table.

11 Second, we must build confidence and increase the level of trust in the way delegations engage each other on this issue, through the IGN process, through informal discussions and also, if need be, through informal small-group discussions.  The pandemic has interrupted, even stalled, this engagement, and it is important that all sides resume their conversations.  Reform of the Security Council can only succeed if there is a strong foundation of trust, understanding and convergence among Member States to strengthen the multilateral system.  Related to this point, we believe that it is particularly important for the Permanent Members of the Security Council to reflect on their role and responsibility with regard to the reform of the Council. By virtue of their privileged position, the Permanent Members have a special and greater responsibility to provide leadership in the reform process. Ultimately, any reform of the Security Council that enhances its legitimacy will also enhance the legitimacy of the status of its Permanent Members.

12 Third, important steps have been taken to improve the working methods of the Security Council, in particular its transparency, efficiency and engagement with non-Members. We commend the work done by the Informal Working Group on Documentation and other Procedural Questions in recent years under the chairmanship of Japan, Kuwait, and now Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.  Indeed, we have seen some signs of good progress on working methods of the Security Council in recent years, and this is encouraging.

13 We welcome the fact that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Security Council was the first main body of the UN to adapt its practices to ensure business continuity without sacrificing transparency and accountability.  We also welcome the earlier submission of the annual report of the Security Council to the General Assembly this year, and we are encouraged that the Council has done this much earlier, and we encourage the Council to adhere to the new timelines stipulated in Note S/2019/997 for the submission of future annual reports in order for the General Assembly to have robust discussions on the work of the Security Council.  At the same time, we hope that the IWG will continue its efforts to implement its revised Note 507 as well as continue working to improve the Council’s working methods in the longer-term.

Mr President,

14 Singapore looks forward to the early resumption of the IGN process, and we look forward to working constructively with all delegations to making progress on this important issue.  I thank you for your attention.

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