Plenary

Mr. President,

1. Singapore regards the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as one of the most important international conventions in existence. It provides the overarching framework for governance for the world’s oceans.  Ambassador Tommy Koh of Singapore, who was the President of the Third UN Conference on the Law of the Sea from 1980 to 1982, rightly described the Convention as a “constitution for the oceans”. In the last two decades, UNCLOS has provided the legal framework for all activities in the oceans and seas, including international cooperation. In this regard, we welcome Azerbaijan’s accession to UNCLOS. We urge those who have yet to become party to UNCLOS to do so as soon as possible.

2. The omnibus resolution before us addresses a wide spectrum of activities that are carried out in the oceans and seas – activities that impact the entire international community. The various initiatives and meetings relating to the Oceans and the Law of the Sea made for a full agenda for this calendar year. These meetings were held independently of each other, but it is important to underline that there are critical inter-relationships between them. In our view, it is important to achieve and sustain coherence within and across the different processes, including by recognising the place of UNCLOS at their core. In this regard, my delegation wishes to make a few comments on the BBNJ, the ISA, the ICP, and the Regular Process.

(a) BBNJ

Mr. President,

3. With regard to the BBNJ (biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction), the Preparatory Committee had two fruitful sessions in which my delegation actively participated. We welcome the opportunity for Mrs. Rena Lee, a member of the Singapore delegation, to contribute as the facilitator for the informal working group on capacity building and the transfer of marine technology. UNCLOS enshrined a delicate balance of interests. The BBNJ discussions need to recognise and respect this balance. We trust that the constructive attitudes of delegations will continue. We will, as Singapore, continue to move forward and work together with other parties to ensure that we can collectively progress on the basis of consensus.

(b) ISA

Mr. President,

4. With regard to the ISA, Singapore has continued to participate actively in the work of the Seabed Authority (ISA), including as a member of the ISA Council. Mrs. Rena Lee of Singapore was elected this year into the Legal and Technical Commission (LTC) of the ISA for the period of 2017-2020. This is a great honour for Singapore. It underscores our commitment to contribute constructively to the work of the ISA in safeguarding the common heritage of mankind.

5. We also welcome the continued progress of the ISA in establishing rules, regulations and procedures for activities in the Area, under Part XI of UNCLOS. Singapore appreciates the delivery of the initial working draft of the regulations for exploitation at the 22nd session of the ISA. We have submitted comments on the draft. The completion of this work is a matter of priority. We also note the progress being made on the general and systematic review of the manner in which the international regime of the Area has operated. We look forward to the submission of the final report on the review by 15 April 2017. We thank ISA Secretary-General Nii Odunton for his leadership over the years, and we look forward to working with the incoming Secretary-General, Mr. Michael Lodge.

(c) ICP

Mr. President,

6. My delegation also participated in the Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (ICP), on the topic of “marine debris, plastics and microplastics”. We welcome the opportunity to reflect on the science and challenge posed by microplastics; the importance of prioritising prevention; and the importance of an integrated approach to the management of activities, including coordinated action amongst various competent sectoral authorities.

7. Next year, the ICP will focus on another pertinent topic: “the effects of climate change on oceans”. Singapore ratified the Paris Agreement three months ago. We welcome its entry into force on the 4th of November this year. Climate change continues to pose a significant risk to many countries, especially to small island developing States like Singapore. We look forward to the exchange of views that will take place at next year’s ICP.

(d) Regular Process

8. With regards to the Regular Process, Singapore believes that our work on oceans issues must continue to be informed by research into and information on the oceans and related human activities. UNCLOS establishes the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out. However, stakeholders often have a limited view of the ocean that is focused on their own sectoral interests. We therefore appreciate the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects. It has an important role in aiding our understanding of the marine environment, including its economic and social aspects. The First Cycle of the Regular Process has been successfully completed. The First Cycle resulted in the ground-breaking First Global Integrated Marine Assessment. That Assessment

gave us very valuable insights. We must now build upon these for the Second Cycle of the Regular Process from 2016-2020, and keep the momentum going.

UN Conference to Support the Implementation of SDG 14

Mr. President,

9. Another area where we will need to keep the momentum going is with regards to Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14), on the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. In this regard, Mr. President, I wish to commend you for your personal commitment and your leadership in supporting the Oceans Conference. We in Singapore share your vision, and support your vision, that the UN Conference will serve as a platform for all stakeholders to come together and galvanise the international community into action to support the implementation of SDG 14. The outcome document, the partnership dialogues, and the voluntary commitments to be announced at the Oceans Conference in June 2017, will make an important contribution to the implementation of SDG 14. Singapore attaches the greatest importance to the Oceans Conference. We regard it as an important priority, not only for Singapore, but as an important priority for the entire international community. We look forward to participating actively in the Oceans Conference and to working with the two co-chairs, Fiji and Sweden, as well as to working closely with all members of the international community to achieve a successful outcome.

Mr. President,

10. My delegation would like to take this opportunity to thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive reports on this agenda item. We also thank Mr. Thembile Joyini of South Africa and Mr. Andreas Kravik of Norway for their work in coordinating the informal consultations on the omnibus resolution and the resolution on Sustainable Fisheries respectively. We would also like to express our thanks to the Director and staff of the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea for their invaluable support to Member States during these informal consultations.

11. I thank you, Mr. President.

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