STATEMENT BY MR NATHANIEL KHNG, MINISTER-COUNSELLOR (LEGAL), PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 13, 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/79/340 AND A/80/70), THIRTY-FIFTH MEETING OF STATES PARTIES TO THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA, NEW YORK, 25 JUNE 2025

Thank you very much Mr President.  Singapore aligns itself with the statement that will be delivered by Palau on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States.  We also wish to add our expression of condolences for the passing of Mr Harald Brekke. 

Mr President, 

2 My delegation is grateful to the Secretary-General and his team for the reports on issues that have arisen with respect to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) that we are considering under this agenda item.  I wish to make three points on key developments relating to ocean affairs and the law of the sea. 

3 First, on the recent third UN Ocean Conference, my delegation thanks Costa Rica and France for hosting a successful Conference and welcomes the action-oriented declaration that was adopted at its conclusion.  Many countries made commitments at the Conference towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14).  Singapore, on our part, was pleased to renew fifteen of our past voluntary commitments and announce twelve new voluntary commitments.  The international community must now build on the momentum from the Conference.  As indicated by the Secretary-General, more concerted efforts and acceleration are urgently needed with respect to advancing the fulfilment of SDG 14.    

4 This brings me to my second point, which is with respect to the BBNJ Agreement.  We concur with the Secretary-General that participation in and implementation of the Agreement will provide significant support to the long-term health and sustainability of the ocean.  In this regard, my delegation warmly welcomes the recent ratifications and signings of the Agreement, which brings us close to the number of States Parties required for the Agreement to come into force. Singapore ratified the Agreement in September last year and we call on States that have not done so to become a party to the Agreement.  In February this year, Singapore hosted the Second BBNJ Symposium, which brought together around 450 participants from across the world, including representatives from government, civil society and the academia, to discuss the effective ratification and implementation of the Agreement.  My delegation also welcomes the adoption by consensus of this year’s General Assembly resolution on the Agreement and the progress made in the first substantive session of the Preparatory Commission to prepare for the entry into force of the Agreement and the first meeting of its Conference of the Parties.  We look forward to participating actively and constructively in the second substantive session of the Preparatory Commission in August. 

5 Third, in relation to capacity-building, my delegation wishes to thank DOALOS for its capacity-building initiatives, which provide critical assistance to developing countries in their efforts to fully and effectively implement UNCLOS and its implementing agreements.  Singapore continues to contribute actively in capacity-building in the area of the law of the sea.  Through the Singapore Cooperation Programme’s Sustainability Action Package, we have conducted over 60 courses for more than 1,600 officials, covering issues such as rising sea levels and the law of the sea.  Over the next year, we will organise more courses relating to the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean.

Mr President,

6 In closing, my delegation reiterates our full agreement with the Secretary-General’s observation that UNCLOS remains the “keystone for global ocean governance”.  For Singapore, a small island nation whose history, people and economy are intricately intertwined with the ocean, it is imperative that UNCLOS is fully and effectively implemented as the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out.  All maritime claims must be in accordance with the relevant rules of UNCLOS, which are comprehensive, and all freedoms, rights and obligations set out in UNCLOS must be respected and adhered to.  

7 Singapore will continue to provide unwavering support for UNCLOS and its status as the constitution for the oceans.  My delegation welcomes San Marino as the 170th party to UNCLOS and calls on States that have not done so to become a party to UNCLOS as soon as possible.

8 Thank you very much for your attention.

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