STATEMENT BY ONG KOK WEE, DELEGATE TO THE 69TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, ON AGENDA ITEM 23, ERADICATION OF POVERTY AND OTHER DEVELOPMENT ISSUES, SECOND COMMITTEE, 20 OCTOBER 2014

Mr Chairman,

1             I would like to align my delegation with the statement by Bolivia on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, and the statement by Singapore on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). 

2             Much has been achieved in the fight against poverty. As the 2014 Report on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) points out, the target of halving the proportion of people in extreme poverty has been achieved, five years ahead of the 2015 deadline. In absolute terms, the number of people living in extreme poverty fell from 1.9 billion in 1990 to 1.2 billion in 2010. These results illustrate what the international community is able to accomplish, if we pay sustained attention to the issue of poverty eradication.

3             Yet it is also abundantly clear that more work needs to be done to eradicate poverty. As the MDG Report also points out, progress on poverty reduction has been uneven. Some regions, such as East Asia and Southeast Asia, have met the MDG target. Other regions, such as South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, still face considerable challenges, and continue to lag behind.

4             Furthermore, there is an increasing sense that income inequality is widening around the world. This is despite the fairly robust rates of economic growth since the 2008 financial crisis. There is increasing recognition that growth has to be inclusive, and that it should benefit all segments of society, including the poor and the vulnerable.

Mr Chairman,

5             In this context, Singapore stands committed to the UN’s efforts to eradicate poverty. We are also encouraged by the fact that the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has put the eradication of poverty at the forefront of the sustainable development agenda. The proposed SDG 1 - End poverty in all its forms everywhere, is an ambitious goal, but a worthy one. If we succeed, by 2030, extreme poverty would be a thing of the past.

6             But how do we get there? Unfortunately, there are no silver bullets. The issue of poverty eradication is a complex one, which requires sustained efforts, hard work and a multi-faceted approach. Furthermore, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, as each Member State has to find its own developmental approach, depending on its own unique circumstances and priorities.

Inclusive Economic Growth

7                  In the spirit of experience-sharing, allow me to elaborate briefly on Singapore’s approach.  We believe that the most sustainable way to help the lower income is to create good quality jobs. And in order to have good quality jobs, there must be economic growth. As the UN Secretary General’s report on the Implementation of the Second United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (2008-2017) had pointed out, sustained rapid economic growth is a necessary condition for poverty reduction. Singapore agrees with the report’s recommendation that the creation of productive employment and decent work should be at the centre of a policy framework for sustained, inclusive and equitable growth.

Focus on opportunities, not entitlements

8             At the same time, Singapore’s approach to helping the lower income group in our country is to focus on opportunities, not entitlements. Singapore’s education system seeks to ensure that every child is given the opportunities, skills, and training to pursue his or her aspirations, regardless of the child’s socio-economic background. While we cannot guarantee equal economic outcomes, we do strive for all our children to be given equal educational opportunities.

9                 For Singaporeans already in the workforce, programmes and incentives are used to upgrade their skills to enable them to take up better paying jobs. Programmes like the Workfare Income Supplement are used to top up the earnings of lower-income, older Singaporeans, while encouraging them to be self-reliant through continued employment.

Mr Chairman,

International Partnerships

10           While each country needs to chart its own developmental path, national efforts can be strengthened by international cooperation. On Singapore’s part, we contribute in areas where we believe we can best add value. This includes the sharing of our own developmental experience and expertise with other countries. Every year, through the Singapore Cooperation Programme, Singapore conducts over 300 courses and trains close to 7,000 government officials from other countries. We also collaborate with 44 other countries and international organisations to jointly provide technical assistance to other countries under our Third Country Training Programme Framework.

Mr Chairman,

11                2015 is a critical year for all of us, as we come together to finalise the post-2015 Development Agenda. Singapore remains fully supportive of efforts by the international community to eradicate poverty. We look forward to contributing to the development of the post-2015 Development Agenda on this issue.

12           I thank you.

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