20 Oct 2015
Mr Chairman,
My delegation is pleased to align itself with the statements made by South Africa, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China; the Maldives, on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS); and Thailand, on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
2 The recent adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda) by world leaders is a proud and historic moment for the United Nations (UN). However, the real work has just begun. The true test of our commitment will be in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The responsibility for implementation lies with all of us. Each country must implement the 2030 Agenda and track our progress in the way that best suits our respective national circumstances.
Mr Chairman,
3 Intrinsic to the Singapore development story is sustainable development. As a city-state with a land area of 719 square kilometres and few natural resources, Singapore recognised early on that a competitive economy, a high-quality of life, and a sustainable environment are complementary parts of a virtuous cycle of development. Singapore has come a long way since our independence in 1965 as a result of this key insight as well as with good governance, long-term thinking and the rule of law. However, the future presents challenges that our generation, and those to come, must rise to meet. As cities around the world develop and as the global population grows, there will be increasing competition for a finite supply of resources. Coupled with the pressures brought about by climate change, the road ahead is unlikely to be smooth-sailing. We must find ways to do development better.
4 As Singapore celebrates 50 years of independence this year, we have renewed our commitment to sustainable development through the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint 2015. It outlines our national vision and plans for a more liveable and sustainable Singapore, to support the diverse needs and growing aspirations of Singaporeans. The first such Blueprint was launched in 2009, and Singapore is on track to meet or exceed the 2020 and 2030 targets set out in it. The 2015 Blueprint charts our next steps and aspires to build “eco-smart” endearing towns, reduce reliance on private car transportation, achieve a zero-waste society, develop a leading green economy, and foster an active and gracious community. It recognises that if everyone plays a part, Singapore can be a liveable and sustainable city that provides a good quality of life for all, today and in the future. The Singapore Sustainable Blueprint 2015 thus speaks directly to the 2030 Agenda and its aim of leaving no one behind.
Mr Chairman,
5 Of course, to achieve the 2030 Agenda, measuring our progress is key. In this regard, the ongoing work to develop a global framework of indicators for the 169 targets of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals is critical. In Singapore’s view, the global indicator framework should rightly be just that - a framework. It should provide the architecture for an integrated monitoring framework that includes global indicators, as well as different levels of regional, national, and thematic indicators as appropriate. Hence, it should only contain a limited number of indicators that are each able to measure progress across different targets and goals. We must recognise that there may be useful work on relevant indicators taking place at the national and regional levels that we can leverage. The framework should thus provide for a range of possible indicators which countries can draw if they find them suitable, based on their circumstances and priorities.
6 The global framework of indicators will be essential to the follow up and review of the 2030 Agenda by the High-Level Political Forum for Sustainable Development (HLPF). We now need to operationalise the HLPF, recognising that how we do so will have a substantive impact on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. In operationalising the HLPF, we must remain mindful that each country will implement the 2030 Agenda and measure its progress in its own way. The indicators for global progress and the work of the HLPF should support countries in this endeavour.
Mr Chairman,
7 Small states, especially Small Island Developing States (SIDS), are particularly vulnerable and feel the weight of global challenges most intensely. Singapore is heartened that the particular challenges and needs of SIDS have been reflected in the 2030 Agenda. With small states forming more than half of the UN membership, our views and concerns should continue to be reflected in the implementation and the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda.
Mr Chairman,
8 Achieving the 2030 Agenda will depend on a revitalised global partnership that facilitates an intensive global engagement in support of implementation of all the goals and targets, bringing together governments, civil society, the private sector, the UN system and other actors and mobilising all available resources. Singapore is committed to playing our part to support our fellow developing countries in implementing the 2030 Agenda. At the UN Sustainable Development Summit, Singapore announced the launch of a new Sustainable Development Programme to support the 2030 Agenda. This Programme will see intensified cooperation in areas such as good governance and public sector excellence, sustainable cities and urban planning, and water and sanitation. Under this new programme, Singapore will work with UN-Habitat to help build capacity in urban governance and planning in cities around the world. We hope to contribute to making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, as envisioned by SDG 11. Singapore will also work with partners to provide training on water and sanitation solutions for countries in need, as our contribution to SDG 6. In this regard, Singapore looks forward to the commemoration of the World Toilet Day in the context of “Sanitation for All” on 19 November.
Mr Chairman,
9 We have to work together and support each other to build the future we want. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has hailed the 2030 Agenda as a “blueprint for success”. Now that we have this blueprint, it is time to get to work, turn our aspirations into reality, and show the world that the UN is more than just a “talk-shop”.
10 I thank you.
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