STATEMENT BY MR JOSEPH TEO, CHARGÉ D'AFFAIRES A.I. OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE SECURITY COUNCIL OPEN DEBATE ON "WORKING METHODS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL", 19 JULY 2016

Thank you, Mr President.

1.                 Singapore aligns itself with the statement delivered by Iran on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. We express our appreciation to Japan for its long and consistent leadership on this important topic. It was under Japan's chairmanship of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions in 2006 that Note 507 was first issued. The Note was updated in 2010, again under Japan's chairmanship. The tenth anniversary of Note 507 is a fitting time to consider the progress we have made.

2.                 However, progress is a relative concept. The number of steps taken forward must also be measured against the length of the journey, and how far we have come from the starting point. On this, my delegation is pleased to note that there has been good progress in transparency, aided by developments in technology. There have been an increased number of Open Debates and informal briefings on the work of the Council to the wider UN membership, since Note 507 was first issued ten years ago. More meetings are webcast. More information is disseminated now through the Council's website and through the UN Journal, as well as on social media platforms.

3.                 Nevertheless, transparency is not an end in itself. It is a means to promote accountability and more effective action by the Council. And in this context, more visibility does not necessarily lead to greater credibility. Formulaic statements at Open Debates, where known positions are often regurgitated, do little to effect improvements on the ground. We appreciate Japan's commitment to taking on board the views expressed today, and encourage the Council to engage more meaningfully with the wider UN membership, especially affected countries and regional organisations, during informal briefings and Arria-formula meetings. This would enhance the quality of discussions, strengthen substantive engagement between the Council and the General Assembly, a major step towards true transparency and accountability.

Mr President,

4.                 There are a number of other areas of concern to us that were not specifically listed in Note 507 that we wish to raise. First, a practical step that the Council could consider to increase transparency and accountability is to adopt its rules of procedure. Today marks a little over 70 years that the Council first adopted its provisional rules of procedure. In other words, the Council's rules of procedure have been provisionally applied for far longer than most of diplomats who sit on it have been in service. Surely it is time for the Council to finally adopt its own rules of procedure. This would be a small but vital step towards demonstrating the Council's commitment to transparency and accountability.

5.                 In terms of effectiveness, there have been examples of how the Council has managed to respond, or not, to critical developments. The record has been mixed. Too often in the past, the veto has been used to prevent action to address crimes of atrocity, at the cost of many innocent lives.  We are therefore happy to note that there is a growing support and movement in favour of limiting the use of the veto in cases of mass atrocities.  Some 100 countries have supported the French-Mexican initiative calling on the P5 to voluntarily and collectively pledge not to use the veto in cases of recognised mass atrocities.  An even greater number, about 112 countries, including my own delegation and eight members of the Security Council including two permanent members, have also supported the ACT’s initiative on a code of conduct on Security Council action against genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes. Singapore reiterates our call to the Permanent Members of the Council to refrain from using their right to veto to block Council action aimed at preventing or ending genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. If they have to, they should explain to the wider UN membership why they cannot support initiatives aimed at preventing or ending mass atrocities. Such a requirement, will serve to make the Council more accountable to the wider membership and the international community for its action (or inaction).

6.                 Finally, it is our hope that further steps will be taken towards promoting inclusiveness in the Council's work. We are encouraged by the conduct of the process for selecting the next Secretary General of the United Nations thus far, under the leadership of the President of the General Assembly (PGA). We hope that the Council will work with the PGA to continue the strong spirit of transparency and inclusiveness in the process thus far.  In this regard, we note that the Council will soon conduct the first informal straw poll to select the next Secretary-General. However, we regret to hear from the PGA that the outcome of the straw poll will not be communicated to the wider UN membership. We therefore join the PGA and other member states in urging the Council to be more open with its communication with the General Assembly on this key issue, in line with the new standard of openness and transparency on the process introduced by the PGA. 

Mr President,

7.                  Singapore welcomes opportunities like this Open Debate to discuss the important issue of the working methods of the Security Council. We look forward to a meaningful outcome under Japan's leadership, that will help to strengthen the effectiveness and credibility of the Council, as well as its engagement with the broader UN membership.

8.                 Thank you.

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