STATEMENT BY MR AMIN RAHIM, DELEGATE, PERMANENT MISSION OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE 81ST UNGA PLENARY DEBATE ON AGENDA ITEM 62: “USE OF THE VETO”, 26 OCTOBER 2026, UNHQ, NEW YORK

Mr President,

              Thank you for convening this important debate on the use of the veto. My delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered by Liechtenstein.

2            Today’s debate on the use of the veto in the Security Council is fundamentally about the Council’s accountability and effectiveness. Article 24 of the UN Charter makes clear that the Security Council has the “primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security” and that this is a responsibility conferred by Member States.

3            Last year, vetoes were cast that impeded Council action in major conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. This year, four vetoes have been cast to date, on two resolutions that concern major issues of international peace and security. Please allow me to make three points from Singapore’s perspective.

4            First, the General Assembly has the responsibility to examine every veto and hold Council members to account for their actions, or inaction. That is why Singapore supported Resolution 76/262 that formalised the Veto Initiative in 2022. This annual debate and the debate held after every veto is intended to encourage Council members to fulfil this mandate by promoting greater accountability and transparency in decision making. It is also a demonstration of the General Assembly’s leadership on issues of peace and security when the Council is unable or unwilling to fulfil its Charter responsibilities.

5            Second, Singapore supports the establishment of parameters to guide the judicious and responsible use of the veto. We support initiatives such as the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency (ACT) Group’s Code of Conduct and the French-Mexican Initiative that calls on permanent members to suspend the use of the veto in cases of mass atrocities. On this note, Singapore welcomes the UK’s recent decision to endorse the French-Mexican initiative, the second permanent member to do so.  

6            We call on other permanent members to demonstrate their leadership. In particular, we call on all Council members to abide by Article 27(3) of the Charter, to abstain from voting if they are party to a dispute.

7            Third, Singapore affirms our support for initiatives that strengthen the efficiency, transparency and accountability of the work of the Security Council. We appreciate the role of the elected members of the Council who have been constructive bridge builders, both within the Council and between the Council and the General Assembly. We hope that they can continue to be proactive in building consensus on various files and help to avoid the use of the veto.

Mr President,     

8            The misuse or threat of use of the veto to shield violations of the UN Charter or block the adoption of the Security Council’s own resolutions prevents the Council from fully discharging its mandate. This ultimately erodes its own credibility and legitimacy. If we are to ensure that the UN remains truly relevant and responsive, all Member States must not only support the work of the Security Council, but also hold it to account so that it fulfils its responsibility to deliver peace and security for the benefit of all our peoples.

9            Thank you.