INTERVENTION BY FIRST SECRETARY (POLITICAL) DHIVYA RAJANDRAN, PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE INFORMAL INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON PRESERVING HUMAN DIGNITY IN ARMED CONFLICT: PROMOTING COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW, 28 JANUARY 2025

Mr President,

1                   Thank you for convening this informal interactive dialogue today.

2                   Respect for the UN Charter and international law, including international humanitarian law, has always been a guiding principle of Singapore’s foreign policy. As armed conflicts continue to proliferate around the world causing devastating humanitarian consequences, disproportionately affecting civilians, there is an urgent need to strengthen compliance with international humanitarian law. In this context, the importance of the Geneva Conventions, which have been universally ratified, cannot be overstated. Even as the international community tries to avoid armed conflicts as far as possible, the obligations outlined in the Geneva Conventions become crucial when faced with the reality of an armed conflict. They regulate how war is to be waged, if war cannot be avoided. Most importantly, they play a crucial role in minimizing human suffering and protecting civilians.

3                   Singapore expresses our full support for the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law. We acceded to the Geneva Conventions in 1973, just eight years after our independence in 1965, and quickly enacted the Geneva Conventions Act within that same year to give effect to the Geneva Conventions. In March last year, Singapore became a High Contracting Party to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, as part of our steadfast commitment towards upholding international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians. Singapore also strongly supports Action 14 of the recently adopted Pact for the Future, which is aimed at the protection of civilians in armed conflict through concrete and practical measures to safeguard them, including ensuring safe humanitarian access and assistance, in accordance with international humanitarian law.

Mr President,

4                   While we work to ensure full compliance with the Geneva Conventions, we must also recognize the evolving context of international humanitarian law. It is important for us to keep these laws relevant, to address emerging trends and challenges. Advances in technologies such as artificial intelligence have created new demands on international humanitarian law, as we grapple with cyber warfare and autonomous weapons. It is imperative that we develop the rules of international humanitarian law in a principled manner, to account for new scenarios and methods of warfare. In this regard, Singapore is glad to co-host Asia-Pacific regional consultations next month with the UN Institute for Disarmament Research on the application of international humanitarian law to lethal autonomous weapons systems.

5                   Singapore looks forward to working with States and others, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, to promote the development and implementation of international humanitarian law.

6                  Thank you.

.   .   .   .   .