STATEMENT BY MR NICHOLAS TOH, DELEGATE TO THE 77TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, ON AGENDA ITEM 25, ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, THIRD COMMITTEE 29 SEPTEMBER 2022

1 Singapore aligns itself with the statements made by Pakistan on behalf of the G77 and China, as well as Vietnam on behalf of ASEAN. Singapore also congratulates the Chair and Bureau on your election. We assure the Chair of our support and constructive contributions.

Mr Chair,

2 As a small country with limited natural resources, Singapore has always prioritised our people as our greatest asset. We are committed to building an inclusive society, where persons with disabilities are empowered and enabled to participate fully. Our disability initiatives are grounded on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as well as the regional Incheon Strategy for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific, and the Beijing Declaration and Action Plan.

3 In line with our international commitments, Singapore has developed Enabling Masterplans to realise the inclusion of persons with disabilities. These are national roadmaps that chart how the Government, the private sector, civil society organisations, and individuals can build a more inclusive Singapore. Through these Masterplans, we aim to advance the realisation of the relevant Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 on Quality Education, 10 on Reduced Inequalities, and 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities. Just this August, Singapore launched the fourth iteration of the Masterplans, known as Enabling Masterplan 2030 (EMP2030). Persons with disabilities, family members and representatives from disability organisations contributed their perspectives to this Masterplan, including 29 recommendations that span the life stages and diverse needs of persons with disabilities.

Mr Chair,

4 As outlined in Agenda 2030, disability cuts across all Sustainable Development Goals. Building an inclusive society requires coordinated whole of government efforts. In education, we invested heavily in early intervention services so that children with developmental needs can build a strong foundation in life. To support inclusive employment, we introduced the Enabling Employment Credit in 2021, which provides wage offsets for hiring persons with disabilities. To create inclusive and accessible environments, almost all of the public transport system has been made barrier-free. We also launched the Accessible City Network in 2021, focused on closing accessibility gaps in specific urban areas.

5 However, there is still much to do. First, we will strengthen support for lifelong learning and employment, to support persons with disabilities in today’s fast-changing economy. We launched the Enabling Academy in May, a disability learning hub that enhances the opportunities for lifelong learning for persons with disabilities. Singapore will also introduce new laws on anti-discrimination in employment and expand the range of enforcement actions that can be taken against discriminatory employers.

6 Second, we must also bolster support for persons with disabilities to enjoy more independent living. Persons with disabilities must be able to live and participate in the community. To do this, we are piloting the Enabling Services Hubs, which support community-based living by bringing needed disability services closer to where persons with disabilities live. We are also designing alternative housing and care models, so that persons with disabilities can age in place in their communities, with the proper infrastructure and social support.

7 Third, we must create physical, virtual, and social environments that are accessible to all. Building an inclusive society must start with shattering the invisible attitudinal barriers that limit persons with disabilities from participating in all areas fully. In this regard, we have and will continue to drive disability awareness efforts to change mindsets and encourage everyone to take positive action on disability inclusion.

Mr Chair,

8 As we progress towards a new Decade of Persons with Disabilities, Singapore is fully committed to building a caring and inclusive society for all, where no one is left behind. To track our progress, we have set clear and measurable targets for the first time in EMP2030, which we aspire to achieve by 2030. These targets adopt a whole-of-life perspective, covering quality of life, employment rate, sports participation rate, and the accessibility of buildings and public spaces, amongst others. These targets embody our commitment and responsibility to uphold, protect, and promote the rights of persons with disabilities.

9 These are some of the many steps we will take to ensure that persons with disabilities are not left behind. We will continue to ceaselessly realise an inclusive society where persons with disabilities are enabled to pursue their aspirations, achieve their potential, and participate as integral members of society, for 2030 and beyond.

10 Thank you.

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