STATEMENT BY MR. VIVEK GANESH, FIRST SECRETARY, PERMANENT MISSION OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS UNDER AGENDA ITEM 3 AT THE ORGANIZATIONAL SESSION OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE TO DRAFT A UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TAX COOPERATION AND ITS TWO EARLY PROTOCOLS, UNHQ, NEW YORK

Thank you, Chair.

I wanted to place on record Singapore’s position on decisionmaking.We believe that the proposal put forward by Norway and Mexico represents a collective will by delegations to move this process forward in an inclusive way, building on the views, concerns, and diversity of opinion among the many distinguished delegates that have participated in conversations on strengthening international tax cooperation. As the distinguished representative from India rightly noted, our ability to exercise flexibility on the topic of the second early protocol demonstrates this collective will.

2 We welcome the language in the proposal on exhausting every effort in good faith to reach consensus, which we view as a critical part of this proposal. We believe that our discussions have demonstrated good faith from all sides. The fact that we are convening here today and the progress we have made thus far is testament to this, whereby delegations have given up things, brokered compromises, and participated in healthy debate. Our view is that compromise is not a zero-sum game as seems to be sometimes characterised. We have seen compromise from both sides and willingness to drop previous asks. 

3 The goal has so far been to get here, and now it should be on how to move forward, in the most inclusive manner possible and, if I might add, in the most pragmatic and efficient way possible. We would urge delegations not to take their eye off what is intended as the end goal – implementing the Framework Convention and its  Protocols, ensuring our ability to comply with its mandates. Getting a United Nations document off the floor is perhaps just the first part.

4 How we engage or characterise our engagements this week augur our conduct and dynamic for the next three years. Our colleagues from China and Colombia put it well when they said that our approach is not about accommodating any group, but about how to bring on board the most members and ideas to address tax challenges, so that the eventual Framework Convention and Protocols are not just empty instruments.

5 In summation, we think that the proposal by Mexico and Norway is indeed a compromise, and in line with the spirit of how Singapore has been engaging in this process, to find the best way forward. Hence, we can support the proposal.

6 Thank you.

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