STATEMENT BY NATHANIEL KHNG, COUNSELLOR (LEGAL), PERMANENT MISSION OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE THIRTY-FIRST MEETING OF STATES PARTIES TO THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA, ON AGENDA ITEM 13, REPORT 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/75/340), 23 JUNE 2021

1 My delegation thanks the Secretary-General and his team for the detailed report, and congratulates Mr Vladimir Jares for his appointment as Director of the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea.  We have three points to make in relation to the Secretary-General’s report.

2 First, Singapore reiterates our full support for the work of the three bodies established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.  With respect to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, we recall that Singapore and the Tribunal adopted a Model Agreement in 2020 that would enable Singapore to host proceedings before the Tribunal or a Chamber of the Tribunal.  The Model Agreement reflects Singapore’s deep and resolute commitment to advancing the international rule of law and the peaceful settlement of disputes, and we stand ready to contribute to the Tribunal’s important work through the hosting of hearings in Singapore.

3 Second, Singapore remains fully committed to the negotiations in the BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference (“IGC”).  Following the postponement of the fourth session of the IGC, the intersessional work that was launched last September has helped to maintain the momentum from the first three sessions.  While a second postponement has been necessary due to the ongoing pandemic situation, we are confident that delegations will continue to engage constructively with one another and make good use of the extended intersessional period.

4 Third, Singapore remains committed to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14.  We look forward to the next UN Ocean Conference in 2022.  As a small island nation, the state of our environment, in particular the oceans and seas, is of paramount importance.  While our focus has clearly been on tackling the challenges arising from the pandemic, we have continued with our efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda, including SDG 14.  This year, we introduced the Singapore Green Plan 2030, which charts ambitious and concrete targets over the next ten years to further strengthen and advance our efforts to achieve the SDGs.  We are also continuing to protect and preserve our marine environment, including through the implementation of measures to control marine pollution.  We are also continuing to support our fellow developing countries in their implementation of SDG 14 through capacity-building courses under the Singapore Cooperation Programme, on topics such as the law of the sea and on managing coastal biodiversity.

Mr President,

5 Singapore reiterates the importance of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out.  The Convention continues to be key to addressing new and emerging challenges to the peaceful and sustainable use of the oceans and seas.  This crucial role is clearly reflected in SDG 14, in particular in Target 14.c, and in the Call for Action adopted at the 2017 UN Ocean Conference. 

6 Next year, we celebrate the 40^th anniversary of the Convention’s conclusion.  Singapore urges all Member States who have yet to become a party to the Convention to do so as soon as possible.

7 Thank you for your attention.

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