STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR BURHAN GAFOOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 110, MEASURES TO ELIMINATE INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM, SIXTH COMMITTEE, 2 OCTOBER 2024

1 Thank you very much, dear friend, Mr. Chair. Please allow me to start by congratulating you on your election as Chair of the Sixth Committee and the work of this Committee is very important to strengthening the framework and foundation of international law and to defend the principles of the UN Charter. Please be assured of Singapore’s full support for you and your Bureau members during this session. We also take this opportunity to thank the Secretary-General for his report under this agenda item.

Mr Chair,

2 Terrorism continues to be an ever-present danger to international peace and security. The global terrorism landscape is continually evolving, and the complex challenges presented by international terrorism require the unwavering effort of the entire international community at all levels – domestically, regionally, and internationally. Singapore has taken measures to fight international terrorism at each of these levels.

3 First, at the domestic level, in July this year, we updated both our Terrorism Financing National Risk Assessment and our National Strategy for Countering the Financing of Terrorism. The National Risk Assessment articulates the latest terrorism financing threats and vulnerable sectors in Singapore. It takes into account key developments since the previous National Risk Assessment conducted in 2020, such as the evolving global and regional terrorism landscape, growth of the digital economy and financial services in Asia, and emerging terrorism financing risk typologies. The National Strategy outlines Singapore’s approach to addressing terrorism financing in the light of these risks, and provides guidance to our security, intelligence, law enforcement, supervisory and regulatory agencies in developing plans to prevent, detect and disrupt terrorism financing.   

4 Second, at the regional level, Singapore hosted the 8th Working Group meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ Our Eyes (ASEAN Our Eyes) Initiative in March earlier this year. The ASEAN Our Eyes Initiative was adopted in 2018 to share information and develop a common strategic picture of the regional terrorism threat. Singapore and Thailand are also co-chairing the 4th Senior Officials Counter-Terrorism Policy Forum this year. The Forum was established in 2020 under the auspices of the Sub-Regional Ministerial Meeting on Counter Terrorism and Transnational Security, and undertakes detailed discussions on shared regional counter-terrorism and security policy issues. Through these discussions, the Forum identifies gaps, develops new initiatives, and drives enhanced regional connectivity between interior ministries and counter-terrorism agencies. Additionally, Singapore continues to host the Counter-Terrorism Information Facility (CTIF), which works closely with partner countries in enhancing information exchange at the operational level to combat transnational terrorism, and strengthen regional peace and security.

5 Third, at the international level, Singapore remains committed to the global fight against terrorism. We are party to 15 international counter-terrorism agreements, and we continue to firmly support the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the ongoing efforts of the General Assembly in regularly implementing and updating the Strategy. 

Mr Chair,

6 Last year the General Assembly recommended that this Committee establish a working group this session with a view to finalising the process of the draft comprehensive convention on international terrorism as well as discussions on the question of convening a high-level conference under the auspices of the United Nations. I take this opportunity to congratulate Ambassador Mohan Pieris of Sri Lanka on his election as Chair of this important working group, and we look forward to working closely with him and with all delegations in order to achieve a consensual outcome on these outstanding issues concerning the very important question of terrorism. 

7 I thank you very much, Mr Chairman, for your attention.

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