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New York UN

STATEMENT BY MISS LEE NING SUNG, DELEGATE TO THE 71ST SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON AGENDA ITEM 24(b), ON SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATION FOR DEVELOPMENT, SECOND COMMITTEE, 6 OCTOBER 2016

6 October 2016

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Thank you, Mr Chairman.

1             Singapore aligns itself with the statements made by Thailand on behalf of the Group of 77 and China; the Maldives on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS); and Vietnam on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). I would also like to thank the Secretary-General for the various reports on this agenda item.

Mr Chairman,

2             The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development calls for re-thinking and re-tooling our economies and societies. Implementing the 2030 Agenda requires resources on a massive scale. Estimates vary, but most are in the low trillions of US dollars annually through 2030. We therefore need an integrated approach based on multiple sources and that engages multiple stakeholders. This demands renewed commitment and intensified international cooperation from everyone – states, international organisations, the private sector and civil society – even as we recognise that those countries most in need will require support.

3             Official Development Assistance (ODA) is an important pillar of development financing, particularly for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). While ODA is critical, it is also important to leverage public finance in order to mobilise private sector engagement. Beyond public and private sources of development finance, it is also important to look at South-South cooperation as an engine for sustainable development.    


Mr Chairman,


4             Developing countries are ready to deal with the challenges of sustainable development in all its three dimensions, including through strengthened South-South cooperation. Singapore, too, is stepping up to this challenge. 


5             Since our independence in 1965, Singapore deliberately and persistently ensured that our push for economic development would be accompanied by social development and environmental protection in a positive virtuous cycle. This was long before environmental sustainability became fashionable and climate change became a global issue.  


6             As a young nation embarking on an ambitious development journey, Singapore benefitted tremendously from technical assistance in almost all sectors from developed countries, fellow developing countries and international organisations. We are now committed to pay it forward.


7             Singapore’s technical cooperation with our fellow developing countries is founded on the principle that human resources are vital and that capacity building through continuous consultations can deliver most impactful outcomes.  Our own experience shows that targeted technical assistance can be a powerful catalyst for development. 


8             As Singapore enters the 25th year of our Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP), we are constantly looking for ways to do more and do better.  Since 1992, the SCP has provided training to over 100,000 officials from other developing countries. Last year, Singapore launched a new Sustainable Development Programme, under which we are working with UN agencies such as UNDP[1], UN-Water and UN-Habitat to support fellow developing countries in implementing the 2030 Agenda. Singapore has also tailored training programmes for SIDS in areas including sustainable development, climate change and public governance. 


9             Singapore continues to expand the scope of our training programmes and our network of partnerships in an effort to meet evolving global challenges.  This year, the SCP partnered with Google Singapore to organise a joint programme on “Technology, the Future Economy and Southeast Asia”. At the first instalment in September 2016, we shared our experiences in the digital economy, innovation and technology with fellow ASEAN officials.


Mr Chairman,


10           Singapore hopes to make a modest contribution to building the capacity of governments to create the necessary conditions for sustainable development. Our experience may not always be directly applicable to other countries, but it is our hope that they will find our experience useful and adapt them to their local context. Ultimately, countries must take ownership of their own development.


11           I thank you, Mr Chairman.  


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[1]           United Nations Development Programme.