STATEMENT BY MR BORG TSIEN THAM COUNSELLOR, PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS ON AGENDA ITEM 20, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND SUB-ITEMS (A)-(I), SECOND COMMITTEE, ON 8 NOVEMBER 2012

Mr Chairman,

1                      I would start by aligning Singapore with the statement by Algeria, on behalf of the G77 and China; Indonesia, on behalf of ASEAN; Nauru, on behalf of AOSIS; and Costa Rica, on behalf of the Green Group, on this agenda item.

2                      We reached an important and significant milestone on Sustainable Development in June this year when our Leaders agreed to the Rio+20 Outcome – ‘The Future We Want’, which built on Rio Declaration on Environment and Development (1992) and Agenda 21 (2002).  However, there have since been criticisms from different quarters, that the ‘The Future We Want’ did not politically go far enough in committing the world to sustainable development.

3                      Singapore begs to differ from these criticisms.  In our view, ‘The Future We Want’ is a balanced document that reflects the political, economic and social realities of the day.  It is better to have a realistic vision, rather than an unattainable aspiration, which we all could work towards.

Mr Chairman,

4                      It is thus in this context that Singapore believes that the key to demonstrating progress in sustainable development after Rio+20 is the implementation of the commitments made at the Summit.  As my Minister for Environment and Water Resources had put it during the General Debate at Rio+20, “we need to build on what has been achieved at Rio+20 to continue working closely together on implementation actions.”

5                      There are a number of outcomes from Rio+20 that we need to work together to implement, such as the development of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the formulation of an “effective sustainable development financing strategy”, and the establishment of a high level political forum to follow up on the implementation of sustainable development. 

6                      We have set ourselves tight deadlines as well.  For example, the proposal for SDGs is to be submitted for consideration at the 68^th session of the General Assembly.  However, it seems that we have made little progress on the topic so far, given that we have spent months after Rio+20 squabbling amongst ourselves as to which country would be part of the 30-member Working Group on SDGs.  Nevertheless, we understand that the membership is close to resolving the question of the composition of the Working Group.  That is a good development.  We strongly urge the Working Group on the SDGs to convene as soon as possible, after its composition has been finalised.

7                      We also note that the focus so far is on the SDGs.  But we should not neglect our attention on the other Rio+20 commitments, which are linked to the SDGs, such as the crafting of effective sustainable development financing strategy and the establishment of a high political forum.  Without corresponding developments in these areas, it will be difficult for Member States, in particular the developing countries, to implement the SDGs, and report progress on the implementation.

Mr Chairman,

8                      Singapore believes that it is politically important to demonstrate to the world that the UN is making progress in implementing the Rio+20 commitments.  Otherwise, ‘The Future We Want’ would be derided as merely another piece of paper.  Accordingly, Singapore is committed to playing our part and contributing to the implementation process.

9                      I thank you.