STATEMENT BY MR. LUKE TANG, COUNSELLOR (LEGAL), PERMANENT MISSION OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 109, ON MEASURES TO ELIMINATE INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM, SIXTH COMMITTEE, 8 OCTOBER 2019

1 Thank you Mr Chair.  I would like to begin by congratulating you on your election as Chairman of this very important committee.  The Singapore delegation is very pleased to have you lead us in our work and we have every confidence in your ability to steer us to a productive outcome.  We also wish to assure you and the members of your bureau of our full support. 

2 Mr Chair, the scourge of terrorism remains a serious and persistent threat to global peace and security, and is one of the most profound challenges of our time.  No country is immune from this threat, and no country can address this challenge alone.  We need to continually enhance and improve our efforts at the national, regional and international levels, and we cannot afford to stagnate or be complacent.  

3 Mr Chair, I wish to highlight three examples of the steps Singapore has taken to combat terrorism at different levels.  First, at the national level, a new Infrastructure Protection Act entered into force in December 2018.  One of the aims of this legislation is to protect critical infrastructure and certain buildings, which have a higher risk of being subject to terrorist attacks. This Act will require certain new, large-scale developments to incorporate enhanced security measures at the design phase.  Owners of certain buildings may also be required to adopt additional protective measures, such as bag or vehicle checks, in a heightened security climate.  Singapore recognises that no single approach can effectively deal with the threat of terrorism, and infrastructure protection is one way to deter and blunt the force of an attack. 

4 Second, Singapore continues to be actively engaged at the regional level to ensure that our networks remain strong.  We cannot underestimate the value and importance of having a close working relationship with our neighbours, and the ability to share information and best practices with one another.  In October 2018, Singapore hosted the Southeast Asia Counter-Terrorism Symposium, which aimed to foster greater counter-terrorism cooperation in our region, and which welcomed more than 200 delegates and participants.  We continue to actively support and participate in regional forums and projects, including those organised under the auspices of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).  

5 Third, at the international level, Singapore remains committed to supporting a strong, sustained, and coordinated global response to terrorism.  We are party to 14 universal counter-terrorism agreements, and we take the implementation of all these agreements very seriously.  In October 2018, Singapore signed the Code of Conduct Towards Achieving a World Free of Terrorism, which underscored our commitment to address the scourge of terrorism.  In November 2018, we organised the inaugural Police Specialist Conference, which brought together law enforcement agencies from different parts of the world, to exchange views and information on policing issues and on enhancing international cooperation.  At the United Nations, we firmly support the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (GCTS), and the pivotal role of the General Assembly in implementing and updating it.  In this regard, we look forward to the seventh biennial review of the GCTS in 2020. 

6 Mr Chair, in closing, I wish to recall that the General Assembly, at its 73rd session, recommended that the Sixth Committee establish a working group at the current session with a view to finalising the process on the draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.  The Singapore delegation looks forward to working closely with the Chair and members of the working group on the outstanding issues with a view to achieving a consensual outcome. 

7 Thank you. 

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