STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR BURHAN GAFOOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, FOLLOWING THE ADOPTION OF DRAFT RESOLUTION A/77/L.58, UNDER AGENDA ITEM 70 ON THE REPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE, GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 29 MARCH 2023

Mr President,

1 Singapore aligns itself with the statement that was delivered by the Prime Minister of Vanuatu on behalf of the core group of countries.

2 Singapore fully supports the resolution that was adopted today, and we welcome the fact that it was adopted by consensus. The resolution we have adopted requests the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to provide an advisory opinion on States’ obligations in relation to climate change, especially with respect to small island developing States. Singapore is honoured to have been part of the core group of countries that drafted the resolution and that led this initiative. We are happy that the resolution received overwhelming support today. On this significant and historic occasion, I wish to make three points.

3 First, Singapore is confident that the resolution will result in an advisory opinion that will advance our collective, multilateral and rules-based efforts to address climate change. Like other small island developing States, Singapore is disproportionately vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and we have consistently advocated for solutions founded upon international law to address this most existential of global challenges.

4 Second, the request for an advisory opinion on climate change is very timely. The recently released Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC makes it abundantly clear that there is urgent need to accelerate action and raise the level of ambition. There is no doubt that the planet is at a crossroads with respect to the climate crisis. The increasing frequency of extreme weather events around the world, and rising sea levels, are clear warnings that time is running out. We must use all available tools to assist us in our efforts to address the climate crisis. At this stage, one of the major potential tools that had not been utilised was the advisory jurisdiction of the ICJ. That is why the resolution adopted today is significant, as an advisory opinion of the ICJ can clarify the state of international law and therefore provide impetus for further climate action.

5 Third, the request for an advisory opinion seeks to clarify the law having regard to all relevant sources, including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, and the resulting advisory opinion will thus be complementary to the existing climate regime. This is very important for Singapore, as we fully support the multilateral framework of cooperation on climate change under the UNFCCC. We are confident that the advisory opinion of the ICJ will have a positive impact on ongoing processes within the UNFCCC framework, including by accelerating mitigation action, climate finance and political will for increased climate ambition to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Mr President,

6 I wish to conclude by highlighting that the adoption of the resolution today takes place shortly after the successful conclusion of the negotiations at the Intergovernmental Conference on the BBNJ earlier this month. The conclusion of the BBNJ treaty a few weeks ago and the consensus adoption of the resolution today is a victory for multilateralism, a victory for the UN, and a victory for the governance of the global commons. Our successes in recent weeks send a clear and positive signal that the UN can deliver results when nations work together for the common good. However, we must not take our recent successes for granted and there is no room for complacency. It is important for all countries to work together and find solutions that will improve the lives of our people.

7 I thank you for your attention.

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