01 Nov 2012
Mr Chairman,
On behalf of my delegation, please allow me to congratulate you and the members of your Bureau on your appointments. We look forward to working constructively with you and the other delegations to further the work of the First Committee in the coming weeks.
2. The past year has been an eventful one for the First Committee, marked by many positive developments in the disarmament agenda. We welcome the successful outcomes of the 7th Review Conference of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC) in December last year, as well as the 2nd United Nations (UN) Conference to Review Progress Made in the Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects this September. We also applaud the successful conclusion of the first Preparatory Committee meeting for the 2015 Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference in May this year, which heralds a good start to the new NPT Review Cycle. We also note the second Nuclear Security Summit held in Seoul in March. More recently, the high-level meetings on the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), which were convened in late September and early October 2012 respectively, also reflected strong national support at the highest levels for these key international instruments. Singapore is heartened by these initiatives and their positive outcomes. We encourage all Member States and relevant parties to leverage on the positive momentum generated by these events to continue charting concrete gains on disarmament and non-proliferation.
Mr Chairman,
3. Even as we celebrate our collective achievements over the past year, we must acknowledge that much remains to be done. For a start, longstanding and critical gaps in the existing international disarmament and non-proliferation framework must be bridged. We therefore welcome Indonesia’s and Guatemala’s recent ratifications, as well as Niue’s signing, of the CTBT, and continue to urge all Annex II countries that have not ratified the Treaty to do so quickly in order to bring about a full realisation of Article VI of the NPT. We also hope to achieve, at the earliest possible date, the universality of the CWC and BWC. Such ratifications are crucial to preserving the integrity and credibility of these important treaties and conventions.
4. At the same time, we must find ways to strengthen the multilateral disarmament and non-proliferation regimes. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) plays a central role for strengthening the international nuclear security framework. On this note, we welcome the IAEA’s announcement to convene a Conference on Enhancing Global Efforts of Nuclear Security in 2013. In addition, Singapore considers the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones as a practical and concrete measure towards achieving global nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation objectives. We are therefore strongly supportive of the developments of these zones, especially where they do not yet exist. In this regard, we look forward to the 2012 Conference on the establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction, to be convened in Finland at the end of this year. Closer to home, we remain supportive of the Nuclear Weapon States' accession to the Protocol to the Treaty on Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone, or SEANWFZ, which would help to further promote peace and security in Southeast Asia. To facilitate the process, we urge the Nuclear Weapons States to review their positions on the Protocol expeditiously in order to facilitate its signing as soon as possible. Singapore is committed to continue working with other ASEAN Member States and the Nuclear Weapon States on this issue.
5. It is also a crucial task for us to revitalise relevant international instruments. The Conference on Disarmament (CD) plays an important role as the single multilateral disarmament negotiating forum that brings together all the key players to comprehensively address disarmament issues. However, its relevance is increasingly threatened by the existing stalemate. As such, political will must be mustered and collective action taken to address this impasse in order to allow the CD to advance its mission. Given the urgent need for the commencement of substantive work in the CD, Singapore welcomes the UN Secretary-General’s efforts and commitments to revitalise the CD.
6. On the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), it is regrettable that the UN Conference on the ATT held in July this year did not reach a successful conclusion. Nonetheless, Singapore remains supportive of the ATT process, and is committed to working constructively with the other delegations to achieve advancement on this issue.
Mr Chairman,
7. As a global transshipment hub located at the junction of critical sea lines of communications, Singapore takes seriously our international obligations to prevent the illicit trafficking of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), their means of delivery and related materials. Our legislation and administrative processes are continually reviewed and aligned to international best practices. We were the first country in Southeast Asia to implement an exports control regime. We also take an active interest in and play a constructive role at regional and international fora such as ASEAN, the UN and the IAEA, as well as in counter-proliferation initiatives such as the Nuclear Security Summit and the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT).
8. Singapore remains fully committed to the goals of disarmament and non-proliferation. We have consistently supported the full implementation of non-proliferation treaty regimes such as the NPT, CTBT, CWC and the BWC. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the entry-into-force of the CWC, which is one of the most successful instruments in the field of disarmament and non-proliferation. As a State Party to the CWC, Singapore has demonstrated our support for the Convention through concrete actions. Following the first run of the Emergency Response to Chemical Incidents course for Asian States Parties in 2009, Singapore conducted a second course in November 2011. This is our small contribution towards helping to enhance the capabilities of participating countries in responding to chemical incidents. This December, Singapore is also organising the Seventh Singapore International Symposium on Protection against Toxic Substances and the Third International Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Explosives Operations Conference (7th SISPAT- 3rd ICOC). We are also glad to note that the preparations for the Third Review Conference, to be held in April 2013, have begun.
Mr Chairman,
9. There have been good progress made in the areas of disarmament and non-proliferation, but much more can be achieved. As the world evolves and new security challenges emerge, it is no longer an option, but an imperative, for countries to come together to address international security issues. The importance of multilateral solutions to global problems cannot be overstated. Although the end goal is not yet in sight, we firmly believe that where there is a will, in this case, political will, there is a way. Let us work together to bring about a more secure world.
10. Thank you.