EXPLANATION OF POSITION BY MS DHIVYA RAJANDRAN, FIRST SECRETARY (POLITICAL), AFTER THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION ENTITLED “OFFICE OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES”, THIRD COMMITTEE, UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 13 NOVEMBER 2024

Mr Chair,

1 Singapore appreciates the important work that is led by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and reaffirms our support for the UNHCR’s mandate and role.

2 However, we regret that this resolution continues to deplore practices of denial of access to asylum without taking into account the different contexts and constraints that States face.

3 As a small country with limited land and a high population density, Singapore is not in a position to accept any person seeking refugee status or asylum, regardless of background. States have the sovereign right to control their borders and must have the ability to manage migration flows in accordance with their domestic laws, policies, and circumstances.

4 Notwithstanding this, we are ready to collaborate with the international community and support the work of the UNHCR wherever else possible. We will continue to engage constructively with the UNHCR and will revisit the text when it is tabled for discussion again next year.

5 Thank you.

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