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New York UN

STATEMENT BY MR BORG TSIEN THAM COUNSELLOR, PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS ON THE GENERAL DEBATE OF THE SECOND COMMITTEE 10 OCTOBER 2013

10 October 2013

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Mr Chairman,


                   First of all, I would like to align Singapore with the statements by Fiji, on behalf of the G77 and China; Indonesia on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN); and Nauru on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island Developing States (AOSIS), on the general debate.



2                 I would also like to congratulate you on your election as Chair of the Second Committee.  Your Chairmanship comes at a critical time for the Second Committee, as it assists the General Assembly in setting the stage for the post-2015 development agenda.



Mr Chairman,


3                 The Second Committee broadly divides up its work into two broad clusters – Macroeconomic and Sustainable Development.  My delegation views that the separation of the Committee’s work into two clusters belies the inter-linkages between them.  These linkages become clearer in the context of the discussions on the post-2015 development agenda.



4                 Singapore strongly supports the sentiment expressed in the outcome document from the ‘Special Event towards Achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)’ on 25th September 2013, of a coherent approach in crafting the post-2015 development agenda, which builds on the MDGs and integrates in a balanced manner the three dimensions of sustainable development.  In Singapore’s view, a single, clear framework of the post-2015 development agenda, with sustainable development at its core, is needed if it is to be effective and adaptable. 



5                 This view is shaped by our own experience.  As a small city state with just 700km2, Singapore understands the close nexus between poverty eradication and sustainable development.  As the Singapore Minister for Foreign Affairs K Shanmugam indicated in his statement to the General Assembly on 28 September 2013, it was based on our experience that Singapore emphasises the consideration of the issue of urban management and the intertwined issues of water and sanitation in the context of the discussions on the post-2015 development agenda. 



6                 In this context, Singapore notes the on-going work by the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We strongly advocate a SDG on sustainable cities; oceans; and a SDG, or a robust target for sanitation, given the resolution which Singapore had tabled in July to designate 19th November as World Toilet Day. 



Mr Chairman,


7                 The Second Committee will undoubtedly discuss issues relating to the post-2015 development agenda and sustainable development when member states give statements and negotiate resolutions on topics such as ‘Sustainable Development’, ‘Globalisation and interdependence’ and ‘Eradication of poverty and other development issues’.  We should make use of these opportunities in the Second Committee to lay the groundwork for the intergovernmental negotiations at the beginning of 69th UNGA session on the post-2015 development agenda.



8                 On the macroeconomic cluster, the Second Committee would be discussing topics such as ‘international trade and development’, ‘international financial system and development’, ‘external debt sustainability and development’, and ‘financing for development’.  In Singapore’s view, these topics are linked to the post-2015 development agenda as they are the means to support its implementation.  In this regard, Singapore calls for a successful outcome at the 9th World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference (MC9) in Bali this December, which is essential to restore global growth.  Singapore also welcomes the Sixth High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development from 7-8 October 2013, and the ongoing work of the 30-member intergovernmental Committee Experts on Sustainable Development Financing.



Mr Chairman,


9                 Singapore notes that the Second Committee, like previous General Assembly sessions, would have a heavy workload at this session.  It would consider annual resolutions, such as the ‘Follow up and implementation of the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States’, which would contain the modalities of the Third Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) Conference in Samoa next year.  It would also consider new resolutions as well.



10               As such, Singapore urges the Second Committee to devote more efforts to adhere to the decision 65/530 to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the Committee’s working methods, in light of the resolution 68/1 on the ‘Review of the implementation of General Assembly Resolution 61/16 on the strengthening of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)’, which stresses the need for ECOSOC and the General Assembly, especially its Second and Third Committees, to consider and take steps towards the rationalization of their agendas, with a view to eliminating duplication and overlap and promoting complementarity in the consideration and negotiation of similar or related issues.



11               I thank you, Mr Chairman.




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