Senior Minister of State (SMS), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of National Development, Sim Ann attended the 1st High-Level Meeting (HLM) of the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum in Bali, Indonesia, on 11 October 2023.
At the HLM, SMS Sim called for a more concerted global effort towards dealing with the impact of climate change and sustainable development so as to build green, inclusive, and resilient societies. SMS Sim also spoke about Singapore’s contributions in the areas of climate change and adaptation; marine plastics; and maritime governance. SMS Sim’s remarks are appended.
During her visit, SMS Sim met Tonga Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Justice and Prisons Samiu Kuita Vaipulu, Fiji Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for External Trade, Cooperatives and SMEs Manoa Kamikamica, as well as Cabo Verde State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Miryan Djamila Sena Vieira. She had good discussions with these leaders, particularly on how Small Island Developing States can cooperate on climate change adaptation strategies.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
11 OCTOBER 2023
REMARKS BY SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE (SMS), MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT SIM ANN AT THE 1ST HIGH-LEVEL MEETING OF THE ARCHIPELAGIC AND ISLAND STATES FORUM IN BALI, INDONESIA, 11 OCTOBER 2023
Your Excellency Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia,
Excellencies,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1 Let me first express Singapore’s appreciation to Indonesia for hosting this meeting and the UNDP for its invaluable support to the AIS Forum.
2 Singapore appreciates the opportunity to participate in the AIS Forum, and we welcome the spotlight that the AIS Forum has shone on climate change-related issues. These are existential issues faced by Small Island Developing States such as Singapore and many others represented here today. Singapore remains committed to supporting global climate action, with the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda serving as key tools to map out such action. For the sake of our collective future, we must all put in more effort to build green, inclusive, and resilient societies.
3 In 2021, Singapore unveiled our Green Plan 2030, a whole-of-nation sustainability agenda that commits Singapore to ambitious and concrete sectoral targets until 2030. With a goal of greening 80% of our buildings by 2030, the Green Plan will help to fulfil our obligations under the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, and put us in a strong position to achieve our target of net-zero emissions by 2050.
4 However, Singapore’s climate action alone is insufficient, as we only account for 0.1% of global emissions. A more concerted global effort is required. As a small island city state and a key maritime hub, Singapore recognises the importance of working together, supported by strong multilateral institutions and cross-border cooperation. Let me focus on three key areas: climate change and adaptation; marine plastics; and maritime governance.
5 First, on climate change and adaptation, Singapore is committed to collaborating with like-minded partners to support capacity-building for developing countries, through platforms such as the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP), which is our flagship technical assistance programme. In the past 30 years, we have conducted more than 200 courses on sustainability, climate change, and disaster management for over 9,800 foreign government officials from more than 170 countries, territories and intergovernmental organisations. In 2022, we launched the Sustainability Action Package (SAP). Running from April 2023 to March 2026, the SAP provides more targeted sustainability-related courses in key areas such as adaptation and resilience-building strategies; green project management and financing; low carbon development; and carbon markets. In the last six months alone, we have conducted over 10 courses for more than 200 participants from over 70 countries, territories, and intergovernmental organisations. We look forward to sharing the experiences we have gained over the years, and we encourage more officials to participate in the SCP and the SAP programmes.
6 Second, on marine pollution and plastics, Singapore is actively participating in negotiations at both the UN and the IMO. We are pleased that the UN Environment Assembly adopted a resolution in March 2022 to establish an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop a new global treaty to tackle plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. Singapore will continue to participate actively and work with Member States to achieve an outcome that emphasises and addresses the transboundary impact of marine plastic pollution, takes a pragmatic approach, and galvanises global action. At the IMO, Singapore is party to all six Annexes of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships. We look forward to working with Member States on a constructive strategy to deal with ship-source plastic spills and pollution.
7 Third, on the need for strong maritime governance, Singapore is heartened to see the warm reception enjoyed by the BBNJ Agreement, which has more than 80 signatories so far, more than 20 of which are from the Small Island Developing States. We encourage more states to sign and swiftly ratify the treaty, which would represent a major step forward in the governance of our global commons. We are proud that Ambassador Rena Lee, a Singaporean who served as the President of the BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference, was successful in helping delegations bridge their differences and come to a successful conclusion. Singapore will continue to take an active role on the international stage in the strengthening of our multilateral frameworks. Of course, this outcome could not be achieved without the cooperation of all the other delegations. Amidst an increasingly gloomy global outlook, the success of the BBNJ process is proof that our leaders can come together to solve pressing problems.
8 Finally, Singapore notes the discussions undertaken by our Ministers and Senior Officials regarding the Leaders’ Declaration and looks forward to its adoption later today. Our officials should continue discussions on the proposed AIS Organisation’s future, including its charter, targets as well as objectives. Given the growing importance of climate change and marine pollution-related issues to all our countries, Singapore firmly believes that we should work together, through this and other multilateral platforms, to strengthen our collective ability to address the many common, urgent, complex, and existential challenges facing us today. Thank you.
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