27 Oct 2022
Thank you very much, Mr President.
1 I would like to begin by expressing Singapore’s deep sadness at the passing of Judge Antônio Augusto Trindade on 29 May 2022. Judge Trindade had an illustrious career as an academic, government legal adviser, and then as a Member of the Court for the past 13 years. His prodigious judicial output was well-known to the international community and his loss will be keenly felt.
2 I thank the President of the Court, Judge Joan Donoghue, for her comprehensive presentation on the activities of the Court in the period under review and for her leadership of the Court. We also thank her and the Court for welcoming a high-level delegation from Singapore led by our Attorney-General, Mr Lucien Wong, in May of this year.
3 Let me begin by saying that Singapore attaches the greatest importance to the role played by the International Court of Justice, which has a fundamental role to play as the foundation of the rules-based multilateral system. Singapore congratulates the Court on another successful year. As carefully detailed in its report, the Court’s docket is increasing, and the cases on its list touch on issues that range from human rights and environmental protection to territorial and maritime delimitation as well as the jurisdictional immunities of States. We note the Court’s demanding hearing schedule, and we wish to commend not only the Judges, but also the Registry, who have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic.
4 Turning specifically to the report of the Court, Singapore has three specific points.
5 First, Singapore is heartened to note that the Court continues to actively review its procedures and working methods on an ongoing basis and will continue to invest in information and communications technology equipment. We hope that these will help the Court to cope with the challenges of its increased workload.
6 Second, my delegation notes that consultations on the Court’s relocation continue, and that further investigations and surveys will be conducted in the summer of 2023 before the next steps are decided. We look forward to further updates on this matter and continue to be of the view that it is vital that the Members and staff of the Court have a safe working environment. If temporary relocation is necessary, the interim arrangements which are put in place should allow the Court to carry out its judicial functions unimpeded, and in a venue befitting its status as the World Court.
7 Finally, on the Judicial Fellowship Programme of the Court, Singapore welcomes the first-ever awards from the trust fund for the Programme. Singapore was honoured to have been part of the group of five countries that co-coordinated the General Assembly resolution to establish the trust fund, which supports access to the programme by nationals of developing countries and promotes greater geographic and linguistic diversity of the participants in the Programme. We note that the 198 applications in 2022 for the Programme represents nearly a six-fold increase compared to 2021, and that 71 of the 106 nominating universities sought sponsorship from the trust fund for 124 candidates. This clearly shows the demand among developing country nationals enrolled at developing country universities to have access to the opportunities provided by the Programme.
8 In closing, Singapore reiterates that it is, and will continue to be, a staunch supporter of the Court, whose work is essential to the maintenance of the international rule of law and the peaceful settlement of disputes. These are important principles that Singapore upholds. The Court plays this vital role not only through its judgments in contentious cases, but also through its advisory jurisdiction where it provides guidance by clarifying the relevant legal principles.
9 In this regard, Singapore aligns itself with the statement that was delivered by Vanuatu on behalf of a group of countries including Singapore, on the need for the General Assembly to seek an advisory opinion from the Court on climate change as it specifically affects small island developing States and other developing countries which are particularly exposed to the adverse effects of climate change. Singapore supports this initiative. Like other small island developing States, we are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. An advisory opinion from the Court is an important step in the international community’s efforts to address the adverse effects of climate change. It will serve to clarify the applicable legal principles and provide common ground for further discussions on this very existential issue.
I thank you very much for your attention.
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