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New York UN

STATEMENT BY MR NATHANIEL KHNG, COUNSELLOR (LEGAL), PERMANENT MISSION OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE THIRTY-SECOND MEETING OF STATES PARTIES TO THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA, ON AGENDA ITEM 14, REPORTS OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL UNDER ARTICLE 319 FOR THE INFORMATION OF STATES PARTIES ON ISSUES OF A GENERAL NATURE, RELEVANT TO STATES PARTIES, WHICH HAVE ARISEN WITH RESPECT TO THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA (A/76/311, A/76/311/ADD.1 and A/77/68), NEW YORK, 16 JUNE 2022

16 June 2022

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1 My delegation thanks the Secretary-General and his team for the detailed reports.  We have three comments on matters raised in the reports.


2 First, we note with concern that the global pandemic continues to have an impact on the ocean and ocean activities.  However, we are encouraged that interest in ocean-related issues has not diminished, and that there was some progress on the further implementation and development of the legal framework set out in the Convention. 


3 Second, the conclusion of an ambitious and future-proof BBNJ agreement as soon as possible will contribute significantly to ocean governance and sustainability.  My delegation welcomes the convening of the fourth session of the BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference after a postponement of two years due to the pandemic, and the progress that was made in the development of the draft text of an agreement.  We look forward to the fifth session in August.  We are confident that, with the constructiveness that was shown by delegations at the fourth session, we will be able to close the remaining gaps. 


4 Third, the international community will need to redouble our efforts to make progress on ocean-related sustainable development targets.  We look forward to the upcoming UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, which will galvanise the urgent, collective efforts based on science and innovation required to achieve SDG 14.  Singapore will continue to actively contribute to the achievement of SDG 14, including through supporting our fellow developing countries in their implementation of SDG 14 through relevant capacity-building courses under the Singapore Cooperation Programme.


5 This Meeting of States Parties takes place as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the adoption and opening for signature of the Convention.  These were momentous milestones in the development of the international legal order for ocean governance.  Singapore is proud of our contributions to the development of the Convention, in particular Ambassador Tommy Koh’s service as President of the Third UN Conference on the Law of the Sea.


6 Singapore is a small island nation located at the junction of two straits that serve as the gateway between the Indian and Pacific Oceans.  As a maritime nation whose economy is intertwined with international trade, including seaborne trade, the full and effective implementation of the Convention has been, and will continue to be, critical for our survival.  All maritime claims must be in accordance with the relevant rules of the Convention, which are comprehensive, and all freedoms, rights and obligations set out in the Convention must be respected and adhered to. 


7 My delegation is confident that the importance of the Convention and its role will only increase in the decades to come.  The principles enshrined in the Convention are universal and have sufficient flexibility and scope to address emerging challenges relating to the ocean. 


8 To conclude, Singapore’s position is, and always will be, that the Convention sets out the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out.  We urge all UN Member States who have yet to become a party to the Convention to do so as soon as possible.


9 Thank you very much for your attention. 


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