STATEMENT BY MS. KAREN ONG, DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS AT THE 2025 GLOBAL MULTI-STAKEHOLDER SIDS PARTNERSHIP DIALOGUE 12 DECEMBER 2025, UNHQ, NEW YORK

Thank you, Chair

         Singapore aligns itself with the statement delivered by Palau on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States. We congratulate all the winners of the SIDS Partnership Awards.

 2      Singapore is very honoured to join this Dialogue. Although we are diverse and geographically dispersed, the SIDS are connected by shared aspirations and challenges, collectively bound by the need for sustained collaboration.

 3      The Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS) is our compass from vision to measurable results. It links priorities to partnerships and charts a forward-looking roadmap through strengthened partnership coordination and monitoring. This Dialogue is key to reviewing partnerships, sharing experiences, and advancing ABAS implementation.

 4      Singapore believes in practical and inclusive cooperation shaped by SIDS’ priorities. Accordingly, I would like to highlight three partnership areas.

 5      First, strengthening SIDS-to-SIDS cooperation. Singapore believes deeply in human capital development. To date, over 13,000 SIDS officials have participated in the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP). Our SIDS of Change package, launched at SIDS4, builds on our earlier Singapore Partnership for the SAMOA Pathway, and offers customised programmes in Blue Carbon science and Digitalisation, along with priority placements for SIDS officials within the SCP.

 6      Second, supporting transparent, accountable implementation.  Singapore registers our SIDS support in the UN SIDS Partnership Database for transparency and alignment with SIDS’ priorities. We have also actively contributed to developing the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI), including through the Independent Advisory Panel, to guide more equitable access to development finance and support. We remain committed to enhancing outcome tracking and joint programme design with SIDS and UN partners.

 7      Third, investing in digital readiness and climate innovation. Digital capacity underpins resilience and sustainable development. Singapore co-developed the Small Island Digital States report with UNDP and Samoa, and partnered with UNDP on applied innovation projects for coastal-risk solutions tested with SIDS partners. Through our convening of the Digital Forum of Small States (DFOSS), we provide a platform for small states, including SIDS, for exchanges on digital governance, cybersecurity and innovation.

 Chair

 8      The next decade is ours to shape. Singapore stands ready to work with every island nation, partner and stakeholder here. By moving forward collectively and consistently, we can ensure that every small island developing state has the capabilities to thrive.

Thank you.