STATEMENT BY MS. CHUNG YOON JOO, DELEGATE TO THE 74TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, ON AGENDA ITEM 75, ON RESPONSIBILITY OF STATES FOR INTERNATIONALLY WRONGFUL ACTS, SIXTH COMMITTEE, 15 OCTOBER 2019

Thank you Mr. Chair. Singapore has previously stated its views on the substance of the International Law Commission’s Articles on the Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts. These may be found in document A/CN.4/488 and Add. 1- 3. At this juncture, we would therefore like to focus only on the question of future action on the basis of the Articles. 

2 The Articles represent one of the most significant recent works of the Commission. However, Singapore joins others in the Sixth Committee who have to-date expressed concerns on the substance of certain of its provisions. This, coupled with the fact that the Articles seek to address foundational principles of public international law that regulate the relationships between States, gives reason for this Committee to move in a prudent manner. 

3 We have heard different options discussed concerning future action. These  include the negotiation of a convention based on the Articles, and the option of simply leaving the Articles to be applied by international courts and tribunals. Whatever this Committee decides on in terms of what is to eventually be done with the Articles, Singapore firmly believes that given the significance of the area of law covered by the Articles, it would be in the international community’s best interests for that decision to be made by consensus.

4 Singapore looks forward to a fruitful exchange of views on these issues at the working group at this session of the Committee. 

5 Thank you, Mr Chair. 

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