STATEMENT BY MR. WONG KENG HOE, DELEGATE TO THE 73RD SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON AGENDA ITEM 109 & 110: ON CRIME PREVENTION AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE, AND INTERNATIONAL DRUG CONTROL, THIRD COMMITTEE, 4 OCTOBER 2018

Mr. Chair,

1               Thank you for giving me the floor.

2               Singapore is an international transport and trade hub, and is located along one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.  This makes us vulnerable to transnational crime, in particular cybercrime and the drugs trade. I will therefore focus my intervention today on Singapore’s national approach in dealing with these two threats.

Cybercrime

3               Cybercrime was the primary focus of the 27^th Session of the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice earlier this year. It is estimated that the cost of cybercrime worldwide grew from $445 billion in 2014 to $600 billion last year. As an open and connected economy with one of the highest mobile phone penetration rates in the world, Singapore is particularly vulnerable. This is why we implemented a National Cybersecurity Strategy in 2016 to protect essential services from cyber threats and to create a secure cyberspace for our communities and businesses. At the same time, we launched our National Cybercrime Action Plan, focusing on public education efforts, strengthening existing laws, and enhancing our operational capabilities to detect and deter cyberthreats.

International Cooperation & Coordination

4               These efforts have borne fruit, but no country can fight cybercrime alone.  As the ASEAN Voluntary Lead Shepherd for Cybercrime, Singapore has organised ASEAN cybercrime workshops with our dialogue partners from China, Japan and the Republic of Korea to share best practices and coordinate incident response procedures across the region. Last month, Singapore hosted the 6^th INTERPOL-Europol Cybercrime Conference, which discussed cyberthreat intelligence, methods to identify cybercriminals through their online behaviour, and the role of digital forensics.  Singapore will continue to play an active role in facilitating international cooperation & coordination in cybersecurity. One key initiative is the ASEAN-Singapore Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence announced during the recent Singapore International Cyber Security Week. The centre will train Computer Emergency Response Teams, strengthen each member’s cyber legislation and research capabilities, and promote information sharing on cyberthreats across the region.

Mr. Chair,

International Drug Control

5               While Singapore has made progress in tackling cybercrime, we recognise we need to address other long-standing transnational challenges. Drug abuse, in particular, remains an affliction in many parts of the world. According to the UN World Drugs Report 2018, drug markets have expanded worldwide, and some 450,000 individuals worldwide died from drug abuse in 2015 alone.

6               Singapore recognizes the enormous damage that drugs can inflict on our societies. As a small city-state located near major drug production centres, and with two hundred million people passing through our borders every year, Singapore is especially vulnerable to the scourge of the drugs trade.

7               Our approach has been one of harm prevention rather than harm reduction. Our drug control strategy is comprehensive, comprising preventive drugs education, vigorous enforcement and tough legislation, and a strong emphasis on engagement and rehabilitation. The drug situation in Singapore has been contained as a result of these efforts to reduce demand and supply. Singapore today has one of the lowest rates of drug abuse worldwide, with drug abusers comprising less than 0.1% of our population.

A Drug-Free Singapore

8               There is no simple solution to tackling the multi-faceted world drug problem, and each country must consider its own context before deciding on its own drug policies. Singapore has chosen to be a drug-free country instead of a drug-tolerant one. We will continue to work with other UN member states to meet the goals set out in the 2009 Political Declaration and Plan of Action, and look forward to the review at the Ministerial Segment of the 62^nd CND in 2019.

Mr. Chair,

9               Strong international cooperation is required to tackle both existing and emerging transnational threats. Singapore will continue to play an active role in the international community to combat transnational crime and will continue working with the international community to make the world a safer place for all.

10          Thank you.

.   .   .   .   .