STATEMENT BY MS. JACELYN LIN, DELEGATE TO THE 80TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY AT THE GENERAL DEBATE OF THE 80TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY SECOND COMMITTEE 6 OCTOBER 2025 UNHQ, NEW YORK

Thank you, Chair. 

1 Singapore aligns itself with the statements made on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, AOSIS, and ASEAN. We also congratulate the Chair and members of the Bureau on your election. Singapore looks forward to working closely with you towards a productive and successful Second Committee session. 

2 This year marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations (UN) – a milestone that coincides with a period of profound challenges to the multilateral system. Sharpening geopolitical tensions and conflicts are fragmenting trust. Economic headwinds and debt burdens weigh heavily on developing countries, while the annual Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) financing gap has grown into the trillions. Digitalisation is accelerating, but risks widening divides if we do not fully harness the opportunities it brings. Beyond flashpoints, the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution are an ever-present and intensifying undercurrent, reshaping traditional livelihoods and undermining sustainable growth. 

3 With only five years remaining to 2030, we must act with renewed urgency to deliver on the commitments of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. Let me underscore three priorities:

4 First, we must accelerate our efforts to reform and strengthen the rules-based multilateral system, to reflect today’s realities and enable swift, collective responses to global challenges. Institutions such as the UN, the World Trade Organization and the international financial institutions remain important fora to maintain a stable international environment for sustainable development, especially for small states like Singapore. We must strengthen these institutions through more representative governance structures, greater transparency and accountability, and additional predictable resourcing. Reform should be focused on enabling these multilateral institutions to adjust priorities to keep pace with changing needs, deliver early and tangible outcomes, and remain credible and trusted platforms for future generations.

5 Second, we must mobilise sustainable finance more effectively and at scale to channel resources to where they are most needed and to address existing development gaps. Governments and public sector finance must lead the way by providing resources in a targeted manner and demonstrating clear commitment to the 2030 Agenda. However, public resources alone are insufficient, and we must mobilise private capital alongside public finance – by de-risking investments, supporting blended finance and fostering innovative partnerships between the public and private sectors. This will allow us to unlock private capital flows towards sustainable, inclusive and resilient development – bringing us closer to achieving the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.

6 Third, we must harness the opportunities presented by digitalisation in an inclusive and responsible manner to accelerate sustainable development and bridge the growing digital divide. Digital transformation can be a powerful multiplier for development, but without safeguards and enablers, it risks leaving some countries and communities further behind. We should deepen international partnerships to strengthen global norms and frameworks for the responsible application of technologies, expand access to digital infrastructure, and enhance digital skills. To this end, Singapore remains committed to building capacity and sharing expertise with other countries including through the Singapore Cooperation Programme, our flagship technical cooperation platform, as well as the  Digital Forum of Small States to build up mutual support and exchanges to address the opportunities and challenges related to digitalisation, technology adoption, and AI governance. As part of these efforts, last year, Singapore and Rwanda launched an AI Playbook for Small States, and Singapore and UNDP launched a Digital Inclusion Playbook 2.0. 

Mr Chair,

7 The 80th anniversary of the UN is a timely reminder of the foundational principles of this Organisation, and an opportunity to renew our commitment to global solidarity and sustainable development. It is a call to action for all member states to ensure that the UN remains fit for the future and capable of delivering progress for all member states. Singapore looks forward to working constructively with all delegations in the Second Committee to translate our commitments into action.

8 Thank you.

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