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STATEMENT BY MR JASON TAN, DELEGATE TO THE 81ST SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON AGENDA ITEM 76, ON THE REPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE LAW ON THE WORK OF ITS FIFTY-NINTH SESSION, SIXTH COMMITTEE,

20 October 2026

20 OCTOBER 2026

1        Singapore would like to thank the Chair of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law, Ambassador Michael Imran Kanu and the Commission’s Secretariat for the Commission’s report which shows a successful and fruitful year of work in modernizing and harmonizing international trade law. We would also like to commend the Chair for his stewardship of the 59th Session, as well as the Secretary and her team for their work in the past year.

2        Singapore reaffirms our strong support for the Commission, which continues to make important contributions to strengthening the rules-based multilateral system. In this regard, I would like to make three points on the work of the Commission for its 59th Session.

(a)      First, Singapore congratulates the Commission on the adoption of the UNCITRAL Supplementary Provisions on the Conduct of Proceedings to Resolve International Investment Disputes. These provisions contribute to ongoing efforts to improve the investor-State dispute settlement process, by promoting greater clarity, efficiency and predictability in the conduct of such proceedings.

(b)     Second, Singapore also congratulates the Commission for finalising the draft statute of the Advisory Centre on International Investment Dispute Resolution. The Advisory Centre will play an important role in supporting States, particularly developing and least developed countries, by facilitating access to legal expertise and strengthening their capacity to participate meaningfully in the investor-State dispute settlement process.

(c)      Third, Singapore also commends the Commission on its adoption of a set of texts regarding recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards and use of notices of arbitration in electronic form. These include the Recommendation regarding the interpretation of the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards with respect to arbitral awards in electronic form, amendments to the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration, revisions to the Explanatory Note, and an additional note in the Notes on Organizing Arbitral Proceedings adopted in 2016. These texts seek to facilitate reliance on arbitral awards and notices of arbitration in electronic form. Greater use of electronic communications in arbitration can enhance the efficiency of arbitration proceedings and ensure that arbitration texts remain fit for purpose. 

3        The fruits of the Commission’s work can only be fully realized when the legal standards prepared by the Commission are implemented. Singapore commends the Commission’s Secretariat for continuing to expand the important work of technical cooperation and assistance, which facilitates the effective implementation of these legal standards.  

4        Singapore partnered with the UNCITRAL Secretariat to commemorate UNCITRAL’s 60th anniversary during Singapore Convention Week 2026 which took place from 24th to 28th August and attracted participants from more than 100 jurisdictions. The UNCITRAL Academy held during Singapore Convention Week 2026 marked both UNCITRAL’s 60th anniversary and 200 years of the establishment of Singapore’s modern legal system.

5        Singapore welcomes the progress reports in respect of ongoing projects and supports the Commission’s work programme. Singapore will continue to engage constructively with all delegations in Working Group III to advance the remaining investor-State dispute settlement reforms, with a view to developing solutions that are effective, inclusive and responsive to the needs of States. We look forward to further contributions by the Commission in international trade law.

6        I thank you.