16 Dec 2011
STATEMENT BY MS KOK LI PENG, DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS ON AGENDA ITEM 123(b), 'CENTRAL ROLE OF THE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM IN GLOBAL GOVERNANCE', 16 DECEMBER 2011
1 Thank you Mr President for the opportunity to address the Assembly on this important issue.
2 I would first like to make a few observations on behalf of the Global Governance Group (3G)* regarding the Report of the Secretary-General on Global Economic Governance and Development. The 3G notes the conclusions of the Report, and appreciates its elaboration on the important relationship between the UN system and the G20. The 3G has consistently highlighted that for G20 deliberations to be translated into effective actions on a global scale, they must be more inclusive**. The 3G has reiterated that multilateral standard-setting initiatives, which directly impact non G20 countries, must take place within inclusive and transparent formats, including the UN***. The 3G has also advocated greater cooperation between the G20 and the UN system, and the practice of 'variable geometry' to allow for the participation of non G20 stakeholders. From the very start, the 3G strongly called for the participation of the Secretary-General and his Sherpa in the G20 process, and we are pleased to note that they have been invited to the G20 Summits each year. The 3G has also constantly refreshed our suggestions on how to further improve engagement between the G20 and the UN system. For instance, interaction between the G20 and international organizations (IOs) should be transparent and strengthen existing formal governance arrangements of the IOs****.
*The 3G comprises the following Member States of the United Nations: Bahamas, Kingdom of Bahrain, Barbados, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Costa Rica, Republic of Finland, Guatemala, Jamaica, Kuwait, Principality of Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Principality of Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, Republic of the Philippines, State of Qatar, Republic of Rwanda, Republic of San Marino, Republic of Senegal, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovenia, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay and Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.
**Strengthening the Framework for G-20 Engagement of Non-members, A/64/706
***Press Statement by the Global Governance Group (3G) on the Outcomes of the G20 Summit in Cannes, France, 3 - 4 November 2011.
****Global Governance Group input on the interaction between the Group of 20 and international organizations, A/65/857
3 It is important to stress that, while the G20 has made important contributions to global economic governance, the UN system must remain the cornerstone of global governance, in recognition of the universality and unquestioned legitimacy of the UN. The G20 should complement and strengthen the UN. Hence, the 3G has commended the G20 for the report of UK Prime Minister David Cameron on global governance and welcomes the G20 Leaders' intention to regularise the practice of briefings and consultations with the UN membership. The 3G had contributed suggestions for the Cameron report, and we are pleased to see that they have been taken onboard.
Mr President,
4 I will now continue in my national capacity. It is a truism that global challenges beset the international community. It is also a truism that globalisation has bound us together so tightly so that an ailment in one region affects the rest of the world. We cannot run very far, and we certainly cannot hide from our problems. We must own and think of solutions for them, paying heed to Albert Einstein's homily- 'The significant problems of our time cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them.'
5 The task of global governance is daunting: not only must we find innovative solutions to significant problems - we must do this grounded in the real world. And the real world is undergoing a profound shift in relationships between major powers and with global actors. Global leadership is being contested as more countries develop influence and capabilities that rival the traditional capitals of power. It is clear that no one state possesses the wherewithal to dominate global affairs. In this context, states must collaborate with each other and relevant global actors to find real solutions to global problems. If we cannot work together, then we must muddle along and live with the sub-optimal outcomes. As traditional relations are recast and new patterns of interaction built, the international community must play an active role to buffer the transition and minimise frictions amongst all stakeholders.
6 The G20 was a speedy response to the 2008 global economic and financial crisis. But the G20 lacks the legitimacy of the United Nations and cannot substitute the role or functions of the UN. To their credit, G20 Leaders acknowledged that the grouping had to 'remain efficient, transparent and accountable' by pursuing 'consistent and effective engagement with non-members...including the United Nations...and we welcome their contribution to our work as appropriate.'***** In other words, we have an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between G20 and the UN.
*****Paragraph 92 of the Cannes Summit Final Declaration, 'Building our Common Future - Renewed Collective Action for the Benefit of All'
7 Some Member States may bristle at the suggestion that the UN should need to work with informal actors to influence global governance. However, we should honestly appraise the relevance of this institution today. Where once countries everywhere looked to the UN for leadership, vision and collective will, today the UN houses a polarised membership. The lie of the land is marked by ideological divisions instead of inclusive dialogue, where politics and national priorities trump partnership and the pursuit of the common good. We engage in political posturing and quibble over semantics, substituting words for meaningful action. As a result, to quote my Foreign Minister when he addressed the Assembly last September, '...there is a disconnect between the proliferation of resolutions, which we debate year after year, and present realities'.
8 It is in the interests of Member States to strengthen the UN system so that it retains a central role in global governance. We have a duty to ensure that the interests of the poor, small and weak are not ignored. At the same time, a strong UN system enables small and medium size states to work collectively and effectively to hedge against the ambitions of big states. The debate today, hopefully, can help us identify and determine the steps we need to take towards this goal. My delegation would like to offer two suggestions.
9 First, the working methods of the UN system and its components need to be improved. We need to instil a strong culture of accountability and innovation in all parts of the system. We need to get rid of obsolete ways of doing things, trim waste and energise staff in order to augment the delivery of services by the UN system to Member States. Second, there is a need to encourage greater policy coherence across the UN system, to give greater direction in global governance. However, the UN can only play a role if it is modernized. In order to ensure that the decision-making and norm-setting roles of this uniquely universal institution will not be supplanted, Member States have to get serious about reforming the way the UN works. We may not have the nimbleness of a G20 or the domain expertise of a technical body like the World Trade Organisation, for example. But we embody political will and legitimacy, and we should not hesitate to use both to strengthen the UN and global governance.
Mr President,
10 Crises of all types surround us but the international community is not helpless. We have tools at hand; we need to muster the will to use them. I would like to recall the words of President John F Kennedy, who said at a speech in Indianapolis in 1959
'The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word 'crisis'. One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the danger - but recognize the opportunity.'
Let us all be clear-sighted. Thank you.
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