STATEMENT BY YEO YUAN FANG, DELEGATE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE TO THE 78TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON AGENDA ITEM 19 ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, SECOND COMMITTEE, 9 OCTOBER 2023

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Singapore aligns itself with the statements by the Group of 77 and China; the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS); and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Madam Chair,

2 We are confronted by multiple crises. Without playing down any of them, I would like to point out that we must pay immediate attention to the existential threat of climate change. The record-breaking heatwaves earlier this year and climate-related disasters such as the devastating floods in Libya serve as a stark reminder of what will become the norm if we do not act promptly.

3 We have taken steps to address this threat. Many countries have pledged to reach net zero emissions by mid-century, carbon pricing has gained traction, and there are growing investments in decarbonisation technologies. Yet, the world remains far from limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Based on current climate pledges, global temperatures are expected to rise by around 2.5 degrees Celsius. This reality compels us to move faster, take bolder steps, and remain steadfast in our course.

4 First, we need to move faster. Singapore is firmly committed to doing our part. In 2021, Singapore launched its 2030 Green Plan, a whole-of-nation effort to integrate sustainable development across our environmental, economic, energy, transport and infrastructure sectors. Furthermore, Singapore will raise its carbon tax from next year, with a clear timeline to reach between US$36 and US$58 per tonne by 2030.

5 Second, we need to take bolder steps to overcome our limitations. Singapore, more than many other countries, will have to depend on innovative solutions to decarbonise. We are constantly pushing our boundaries to overcome our lack of natural renewable energy sources and physical constraints. Singapore’s first floating solar farm was launched in 2021, and spans the size of 45 soccer fields. We have also started to tap on low-carbon energy beyond our shores.

6 Third, we need to stay the course amidst these challenging times. The transition to a low-carbon future will necessitate substantial economic restructuring and financial investments in the short term, and we know that this will not be easy particularly for developing countries, given current post-Covid economic conditions and geopolitical challenges. However, we also know that the cost of inaction will be infinitely higher than the cost of maintaining our climate pledges and ambition.

Madam Chair,

7 The climate crisis is too large a problem for any country to address alone.  To truly move the needle on global emissions, we need greater collaboration between governments and all stakeholders. We are already on the right path, but we must act with more urgency and ambition to create a more sustainable world.

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