STATEMENT BY MR. KEN SIAH, COUNSELLOR, PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL NEGOTIATIONS MEETING ON SECURITY COUNCIL REFORM ON 3RD FEBRUARY 2016

Thank you Madam Chair,

        Singapore congratulates you on your appointment as Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiations on Security Council reform.  You have our full confidence and support.

        We also thank Ambassador Rattray of Jamaica for his leadership last year.  His hard work culminated with a framework document, which is annexed to General Assembly resolution 69/560.  We should continue to make progress this year by building on this document.  

Madam Chair,

        Singapore is very happy to see small states like Luxembourg and Jamaica playing leadership roles on Security Council reform. 

        Indeed, Security Council reform is a crucial issue for small states, which have few opportunities to serve on the Council, and rarely do so, if at all. 

        Singapore sees the improvement of the working relationship between General Assembly and the Security Council, like improvements to the working methods of the Council, to be particularly important, as it benefits all UN Member States, whether they serve in the Council or not.    

        Singapore’s suggestions on how to improve this relationship are contained in the framework document.  I will not repeat them here in the interests of time.

        However, I wish to make three brief observations, after having listened to the discussions today. 

        First, as stated by delegations such at St Lucia on behalf of L.69, Guyana on behalf of CARICOM, Japan on behalf of the G4, and many individual Member States, we note the significant convergence in the submissions to this section of the framework document; on areas such as the need for stronger coordination between the General Assembly and Security Council while respecting their respective mandates.  We echo the request made by speakers before us for the Chair to rationalise and streamline these evident areas of convergence and we will be happy to work constructively with the Chair in this process.  

        Second, we support the view expressed by delegations like Liechtenstein and Australia that improvements to the relationship between the General Assembly and the Security Council need not wait for a comprehensive outcome to this IGN process.  Indeed, as many delegations have said today, several proposals in the framework document are already being implemented, such as increasing the number of open meetings of the Security Council.  Many also noted the recent progress made in the selection process for the Secretary-General.  We believe it would be useful for the Chair to identify the submissions already being implemented as we speak.  We should work towards the institutionalisation of these practices through the relevant processes of the respective bodies.  This will ensure that improvements to the relationship between the General Assembly and the Security Council, and improvements to the Security Council’s working methods become standard and expected work procedures, rather than ad hoc measures undertaken by particular Presidencies.

        Third, we would suggest that the Chair continue to work closely with other stakeholders on the issue of the relationship between the General Assembly and the Security Council, stakeholders such as the Co-chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalisation of the Work of the General Assembly, to avoid duplication of work.  Many submissions in the framework document cut across the work of other bodies.  We should strive to achieve greater coherence in our collective endeavours to make the UN more fit for purpose. 

Madam Chair,

        Singapore believes that it is imperative to make the Security Council more open, more accountable, more effective, and more inclusive today.  We look forward to engaging constructively in the IGN process under your leadership.   

I thank you, Madam Chair.