STATEMENT BY MISS TAN WEE ZI, DELEGATE TO THE 71ST SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON AGENDA ITEM 64, ON PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN, THIRD COMMITTEE, 13 OCTOBER 2016

Madam Chair,

        Thank you for giving me the floor.  Singapore aligns itself with the statement made by Myanmar on behalf of ASEAN.

2.        Children are the key to the future of our society.  It is therefore important to nurture our younger generation and enable them to reach their full potential.  The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by the United Nations last year recognises the need to keep children at the centre of our work.  A number of targets, especially under Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 4 on health and education respectively, are focused specifically on children.

3.        As a small city state with no natural endowments, people are our only resource.  We have therefore attached high priority to protecting, educating, and nurturing our children in our development journey.  I am pleased to note that we have made much progress in this area over the years. UNICEF’s “State of the World’s Children 2016” report has listed Singapore as a country with one of the lowest child mortality rates in the world.  In addition to a high literacy rate, Singapore has also consistently performed well in international school assessments.  Last year, Singapore was ranked first out of 76 countries in the global school rankings published by the OECD.  

Madam Chair,

4.        Despite the good progress achieved, we recognise that more could be done.  We want to ensure that all children enjoy equal opportunities regardless of their background.  I would like to highlight three areas of focus to support vulnerable children, so that no child is left behind.

5.        First, ensuring quality and affordable childcare.  We need to give children a good start in life.  Therefore, quality and affordable childcare is crucial.  This is why Singapore set up the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) in 2013, to oversee and raise standards of the early childhood sector in Singapore. We have also put in place measures to ensure that childcare and pre-school services remain affordable and accessible for all, including vulnerable children.

6.        Second, strengthening support for vulnerable children.  Earlier this year, Singapore introduced a new pilot support system, known as KidSTART.  This new initiative aims to coordinate and strengthen support for low-income and vulnerable families with children aged 6 and below.  Under KidSTART, young children from vulnerable families are pro-actively identified, and provided with early access to health, learning and development support.  Their progress is monitored during their early years.

7.        Third, protecting children in family disputes.  Children are often the unintended victims when marriages break down.  To mitigate the impact of divorce on children, Singapore amended its legislation in February this year.  Under the amended laws, couples with minor children who are not able to agree on all matters relating to their divorce are required to attend a mandatory parenting programme before they can file for divorce.  The programme aims to increase parents’ awareness of the impact of divorce on their children’s well-being, and hopefully, even make them reconsider the divorce itself.

Madam Chair,

8.        It has been more than 20 years since Singapore acceded to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.  Singapore remains committed towards protecting our children, and ensuring that all children, regardless of their gender, race or social background, continue to enjoy equal opportunities in our society.  We are committed to working with others to ensure that no child is left behind.

9.        Thank you.

.    .    .    .    .