03 Oct 2022
Mr. Chair,
1 Thank you for giving me the floor. My intervention today addresses the two pressing threats of cybercrime and drugs. These threats do not respect borders, and require all of us to work together to tackle them effectively.
2 Countering cybercrime was a prominent theme for the 31st Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice earlier this year. Global financial crime has risen in scale, complexity, and pervasiveness across jurisdictions in recent years, including online fraud, ransomware, and COVID-related phishing activities.
3 As an open and connected economy, Singapore is particularly concerned about cybercrime. In response, we have established strong public-private sector partnerships and worked with regional and international law enforcement counterparts, to effectively disrupt criminal networks and strengthen the recovery of proceeds of crime. As the ASEAN Voluntary Lead Shepherd for Cybercrime, Singapore established the ASEAN-Singapore Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence to enhance capabilities and promote information-sharing on cyberthreats across the region.
4 Internationally, Singapore worked with INTERPOL to initiate the formation of the INTERPOL Global Financial Crime Task Force, strengthening international cooperation in combating financial crime. We were also privileged to assume the Presidency for the Financial Action Task Force in July this year. In addition, we are actively involved in ongoing discussions at the Ad Hoc Committee to Elaborate a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes. We will continue our efforts to foster closer global cooperation against cybercrime.
Mr. Chair,
5 Drug abuse is a longstanding challenge that continues to afflict the lives of people around the world. According to the 2022 UN World Drug Report, drug use was responsible for half a million deaths in 2019 alone.
6 The theme for the 77th UNGA calls for “transformative solutions” to “interlocking challenges”, reflecting the interconnected nature of the issues confronting the UN. The world drug problem aptly demonstrates this. It not only affects people, but also degrades our environment. The World Drug Report highlighted the environmental impacts of drug markets, including substantial deforestation from illicit coca cultivation, and waste generated during the manufacture of synthetic drugs. We must take action to deal with the ills of the drugs trade in order to make progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDGs 15 and 16.
7 Singapore recognises that global efforts are required to address a global problem. We reaffirm our consistent support for the centrality of the three international drug control conventions in global drug policy. We have also played an active role in supporting the work of the CND and expressed our commitment to strengthening international efforts through our candidature for CND membership. We will continue to work together with UN member states to fully implement the 2019 Ministerial Declaration adopted in the 62nd CND, building on the 2009 Political Declaration and Plan of Action. We also look forward to the mid-term review to be held in the CND in 2024.
Mr. Chair,
8 Singapore is an international hub and uniquely vulnerable to the scourge of the drug trade. We are a small and densely populated city-state near major drug production centres. If we are not vigilant, drug abuse can quickly overrun our society.
9 There is no one-size-fits-all solution to the multi-faceted problem of drugs, and each country must decide on its own drug policies based on its own context. Considering our circumstances, we have chosen to be drug-free and not drug tolerant. The thrust of our approach is harm prevention, rather than harm reduction.
10 Singapore therefore adopts a holistic and comprehensive strategy, comprising upstream preventive education, strict laws and rigorous enforcement, and effective rehabilitation. Our strategy is underpinned by robust community partnerships and enjoys strong public support. We have been effective at keeping our drug situation under control. The number of abusers arrested each year has halved from over 6000 in the 1990s to around 3000 today, and we have one of the lowest rates of drug abuse worldwide.
Mr. Chair,
11 Singapore is steadfast in our commitment to tackle existing and emerging transnational threats in close partnership with the international community, including organisations like the UNODC. Our collective efforts will empower us to protect our people and create a safer future for generations to come. Thank you.
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