STATEMENT BY MR JASON TAN, FIRST SECRETARY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, PERMANENT MISSION OF SINGAPORE, AT THE FIRST INFORMAL MEETING ON THE REVIEW PROCESS OF THE RESOLUTIONS ON ECOSOC AND HLPF, 15 FEBRUARY 2024

Thank you Co-Facilitators.

1          Singapore aligns itself with the statement delivered by Uganda on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, and Samoa on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States.

2          We also congratulate you on your appointment as co-facilitators of the intergovernmental process on the strengthening of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the review of the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), and thank you for convening the first informal consultation today.

Co-Facilitators,

3          Our world is facing severe and interlinked challenges, and they are testing and straining our multilateral system. In this regard, this process to review the resolutions on strengthening the ECOSOC and review the HLPF is timely, as we seek to ensure our multilateral system remains fit-for-purpose, and supports our sustainable development aspirations. Let me raise three key points.

4          First, this process to strengthen the ECOSOC and review the HLPF must prioritize global sustainable development, especially in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. The ECOSOC and HLPF should continue to promote discussions to this end, through consistent reviewing of progress towards the SDGs, plugging gaps through knowledge sharing and international collaboration, and redoubling efforts to fulfil our commitments.

5          Second, continued implementation of the arrangements contained in General Assembly resolutions 75/290 A and B will be key to ensuring the existing structures remain fit to serve this purpose. Singapore is of the view that these arrangements remain relevant. We should focus on implementing them and ensuring that these arrangements achieve their purpose. For instance, voluntary and country-led Voluntary National Reviews continue to be a valuable way to review progress on the SDGs.  In addition, the HLPF’s role in supporting Small Island Developing States in addressing our unique challenges continues to be vital for our development aspirations. We should not renegotiate or rewrite their substantive elements, and risk reversing our progress.

6          Third, we should focus our time and efforts during this process on elements that will meaningfully build on our progress. Recognising interlinkages between the SDGs, for example, allows for the HLPF to facilitate discussions on how best to achieve the goals, and also address the interlinked challenges we all face. It is imperative that we consider these elements when identifying the themes for the ECOSOC and HLPF in the upcoming years.

Co-Facilitators,

7          Singapore remains committed to supporting this intergovernmental process to strengthen our multilateral system, especially in the lead up to the Summit of the Future. We look forward to engaging constructively with you to ensure a fruitful outcome.

Thank you.

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