STATEMENT BY DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENATIVE KAREN ONG AT THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL HIGH-LEVEL OPEN DEBATE ON “POVERTY, UNDERDEVELOPMENT AND CONFLICT: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY” UNHQ, NEW YORK, 19 JUNE 2025

Mdm President,

Members of the Security Council,

At the outset, let me congratulate Guyana on its Presidency of the Security Council, and for convening this important debate. I also thank the briefers for their very useful insights. 

2 Let us recall that one of the UN’s founding purposes is - and I quote - “to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples”. Since its founding, the UN has been indispensable in providing the framework for international peace and security, allowing all countries, large and small, to advance the economic well-being of their peoples. 

3 It is a well-known fact that there can be no lasting peace without sustainable development, and no sustainable development without peace. Despite significant socioeconomic progress, poverty remains a terrible scourge. According to the World Bank’s latest report, by 2027, the per capita GDP of developing economies would be 6 per cent lower than projections before the COVID-19 pandemic. 

4 When Singapore achieved independence in 1965, we faced acute poverty, structural resource constraints, and deep social divisions. Our membership of the UN was critical for our young nation. The UN played a catalytic role in our development through technical assistance and capacity building in the early days of our independence. Since then, our development experience has taught us the value of comprehensive whole-of-society policies, on education, public housing and job creation, which gave our people a stake in the nation. Let me make three observations from Singapore’s perspective. 

5 First, food security and resilience are critical for global stability and clearly illustrate the conflict-development nexus. Today, we face a crisis of unprecedented global hunger. If current trends persist, about 582 million people will be chronically undernourished in 2030, half of them in Africa. Beyond being a humanitarian issue, food insecurity can fuel tensions due to competition over resources. Conflict can also disrupt international supply chains, resulting in food shortages or price increases, which ultimately impact the most vulnerable. 

6 Second, no country develops in isolation. ASEAN has served as a critical platform that has allowed countries in our region to resolve conflicts through peaceful means and diplomacy. Forged during the Cold War when Southeast Asia was an arena for proxy conflict, ASEAN’s focus on economic integration, on dialogue, trust-building and community building has been crucial for the continued peace and prosperity of our region. We urge the Council to continue supporting such regional cooperation efforts which play a key role in the maintenance of international peace and security. 

7 Lastly, digitalisation is a game-changer. If technology is used wisely, countries can overcome structural barriers and empower communities. Digital finance connects the unbanked to opportunity. Secure digital identities enable access to public services, even in displaced populations. AI-enabled agriculture can increase crop yield and diversification. Digital platforms can facilitate the delivery of aid where it is most needed and track development progress more accurately and transparently. 

Mdm President,

8 As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the UN Charter next week, we must recognise that the three pillars of the UN are interconnected and mutually reinforcing. Peace is not merely the absence of violence, but the foundation for lasting development and prosperity. As the international rules-based order comes under increasing challenge, we must double down on multilateralism, and ensure that the UN continues to fulfil its fundamental purposes of maintaining peace and security while enabling investments in sustainable, inclusive growth. 

9 Thank you.

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