18 Jul 2023
Madam President,
Russia has waged war on Ukraine for over 500 days. This war has had a widespread and profound impact beyond the two warring parties, with large-scale displacement of Ukrainians, worsening global food and energy insecurity, and it undermines and challenges the international order predicated on international law and the UN Charter. The annual debate on this agenda item “Temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine” has always been important, but it has taken on a new significance for obvious reasons.
2 While the Security Council has debated the issue countless times, it remains paralysed and ineffectual in the face of this crisis. This is because Russia has used its privileged position as a permanent member to shield itself with the veto. There have been countless meetings, accusations and claims, but no solution. In this context, the General Assembly must speak up and make clear that violations of the UN Charter and international law are not acceptable.
Madam President,
3 I would like to reiterate Singapore’s clear and consistent position that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, annexation of territories and continued occupation of these territories are blatant violations of the United Nations Charter and international law. Singapore did not hesitate to condemn Russia’s actions as this was a matter of principle, not of alliances or ideology. The United Nations Charter is very clear that “All members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.” We do not accept the arguments of “historical” errors and omissions that have been used to justify the invasion and annexation of Ukraine, and we emphasise that the sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected. Russia’s actions were made more egregious by the fact that Russia is a permanent member of the Security Council, whose mandate is to maintain and uphold international peace and security.
4 Please allow me to make two additional points. First, we are gravely concerned by the worsening humanitarian situation in Ukraine. The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights reported that there have been over 25,000 civilian casualties including over 9,000 killed, and the actual number is likely to be higher. We are also distressed by reports of war crimes, denial of humanitarian assistance and the shelling of evacuating civilians as well as those delivering emergency humanitarian assistance. We call on all parties to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law, as well as the second 11th Emergency Special Session resolution titled “Humanitarian consequences of the aggression against Ukraine”.
5 We also regret the suspension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which has been a lifeline for global food security and helped to stabilise food prices. We thank the Secretary-General for his efforts in facilitating this initiative and encourage the parties concerned to resume this initiative.
6 Second, the situation of nuclear safety and security in Ukraine remains deeply worrying. Ukraine’s nuclear power plants – and in particular the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) – are part of active conflict zones and have been placed under considerable stress. The recent damage to the Kakhovka Dam and the resulting loss of water supply to the ZNPP which led to what Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo described as an “extremely fragile” safety and security situation. We note with deep concern that all seven pillars of nuclear safety and security proposed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) continue to be compromised at all times at the ZNPP. We have to take steps to address this situation and prevent a nuclear tragedy.
7 The IAEA has been working round-the-clock to ensure nuclear safety and security at the ZNPP, and to deliver regular and factual updates. We commend the Agency’s inspectors for their steadfast dedication. We also appreciate IAEA Director-General Grossi’s personal attention to the issue. We strongly support the seven indispensable pillars for nuclear safety and security and the five concrete rules for the safety of the ZNPP that he recently set out in his statement to the Security Council on 30 May this year. We urge all states, especially the parties to this conflict, to support these principles and provide the IAEA with the support needed to carry out their crucial work.
Madam President,
8 In conclusion, the General Assembly spoken powerfully on this issue. We hope that the war will come to an end, that Russia will withdraw its forces and that Ukraine will be able to restore its sovereignty over all its temporarily occupied territories.
9 Thank you for your attention.
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