STATEMENT BY MR NATHANIEL KHNG, COUNSELLOR (LEGAL), PERMANENT MISSION OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 123, ON THE UNITED NATIONS GLOBAL COUNTER-TERRORISM STRATEGY, GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 6 JULY 2021

1                  Singapore welcomes the adoption of the resolution for the seventh review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (GCTS).  We thank the Permanent Representatives of Oman and Spain for their work as co-facilitators of the resolution.

2                  Terrorism remains one of the foremost threats to global peace and security, as well as to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. No country is immune to it, and no country can address it alone.  The GCTS continues to play an important role in enhancing national, regional and international efforts to counter terrorism, and its regular reviews are crucial in ensuring that the GCTS remains relevant and attuned to Member States’ priorities. 

3                  I will make three brief points on the resolution that has just been adopted.

(a)           First, Singapore is pleased that the resolution for the seventh review was adopted by consensus.  To us, it is critical that the United Nations sends a strong and united message against the global threat of terrorism.

(b)           Second, we welcome the new language in the resolution on the need to address the issues of radicalisation and recruitment for terrorist purposes in prisons.  The radicalisation and recruitment in prisons is a serious issue for many countries that requires greater and more effective international cooperation.

(c)           Third, we reaffirm the need for a balanced implementation of the four pillars of the GCTS, and the principal responsibility of Member States in the implementation of the GCTS.

Mdm President,

4                  Even in the midst of tackling the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, Singapore has continued to take steps to address terrorism in a manner that is in line with the four pillars of the GCTS.  We have continued, despite the constraints posed by the pandemic, to hold programmes and undertake activities to address conditions conducive to terrorism, as well as to prevent and combat terrorism and build capacities in this respect, while ensuring respect for human rights and the rule of law.  Singapore also amended our payment services legislation earlier this year, in line with the enhanced Financial Action Task Force standards for virtual asset service providers, and to better mitigate money laundering and terrorism financing risks.

5                  Singapore maintains the view that international cooperation and intelligence sharing are key to preventing and deterring terror attacks.  Singapore continues to participate actively in bilateral, regional and international counter-terrorism meetings and cooperation efforts.  Singapore’s Ministry of Defence also established a multilateral Counter-Terrorism Information Facility (CTIF) this year, which will bring together like-minded countries to share intelligence, and provide early warning, monitoring and analysis capabilities in a centralised and coordinated manner.

6                  To conclude, Singapore remains strongly committed to the global fight against terrorism.

7                  Thank you for your attention.

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