Vivian Balakrishnan speaks to the media about Singapore’s ‘constructive role’ at UN General Assembly

UNGA Discussions: Singapore's Perspective - Summary

Key Concepts:

• War and Peace (Middle East, Ukraine, Africa, Pacific)
• Tariffs, Export Controls, Global Economy
• UN Reform (80th Anniversary)
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Security Council (Lethal Autonomous Weapons, Diplomacy, Deterrence)
• Multilateralism
• Global Commons (Climate Change, Pandemics)
• Rules-Based International Order
• Agency of Small States
• BBJ Treaty (High Seas Treaty)
• Open-Ended Working Group on Cyber Security
• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Treaties (Riot Design Treaty, IP related to genetic and traditional knowledge)
• Transboundary Impact

1. Main Concerns and Issues at the UNGA:

• War and Peace: Ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine, and Africa, along with anxieties in the Pacific region, were a primary concern.
• Economic Impact: Tariffs and export controls and their impact on the global economy were a significant background anxiety.
• UN Reform: The 80th anniversary of the UN highlighted the need for reform, especially during a delicate and difficult time. The question is whether there will be enough support for the UN to reform and whether the UN will be able to deal with issues related to war and peace development, sustainable development and management of the global comments including pandemics, climate change.
• AI and Security: The potential of AI and its challenges, particularly its impact on war and peace, were addressed at the Security Council. This included the implications of lethal autonomous weapons, the impact of AI on diplomacy and deterrence, and how it could rewrite fundamental presumptions in these areas.

2. Singapore's Role and Contributions:

• Bridge Builder and Coordinator: Singapore positions itself as a constructive bridge builder and coordinator, even in times of deep anxiety about achieving consensus.
• BBJ Treaty Ratification: Singapore played a key role in the BBJ treaty (High Seas Treaty) which was precided by Ambassador Reena Lee of Singapore. The treaty surpassed the 60 ratification threshold needed to bring that into effect so it'll come into effect in January next year.
• Cyber Security Consensus: Singapore chaired the open-ended working group on cyber security for 5 years by our permanent representative to the UN Mr. Bhan Gau, achieving consensus among the United States, Russia, China, and the entire UN body.
• WIPO Treaties: Singapore contributed to achieving consensus on two WIPO treaties: the Riot Design Treaty and the treaty on IP related to genetic and traditional knowledge. This was facilitated by Mr. Darren Tang, a Singaporean in charge of WIPO.
• Bilateral Agreements: Singapore signed formal agreements for bilateral consultations with countries like Kenya and El Salvador and formally established diplomatic ties with Monaco.

3. Key Takeaways and Singapore's Message:

• Agency of Small States: Small and medium-sized states still have agency and strategic options and need to support multilateral processes.
• Fracturing Global Order: The fracturing global order is evident, impacting dynamics between major powers, including the US, China, and traditional European allies.
• UN as the Only Forum: Despite tensions, the UN remains the only forum where all 193 countries are represented, allowing for conversations on difficult issues.
• Existential Necessity of Rules-Based Order: For small states like Singapore, the international rule-based order is an existential necessity.
• Reflection on the Past 80 Years: The past 80 years, after the Second World War, have been a time of opportunity for states like Singapore, marked by independence, economic development, and global supply chains.
• End of the Old World Order: The old world order is over due to a superpower taking a narrower view and the rise of a new superpower (China).
• Need for UN Reform: The UN needs reform to reflect the current distribution of power and technology, making it more representative and fit for purpose.
• Importance of Multilateralism: Multilateralism and rules-based multilateralism are essential, especially for small states.
• Climate Action: Singapore identifies climate action as a priority and advocates for objective evidence-based discussions.

4. Singapore's Stance on Climate Change:

• Addressing Skepticism: Singapore aims to persuade everyone to look at the evidence objectively regarding climate change.
• Transboundary Impact: Even those skeptical of man-made climate change acknowledge the transboundary impact of atmospheric and marine pollution.
• Focus on Science: Singapore emphasizes following the science, looking at the data, and recognizing the reality of climate change for vulnerable states.

5. Implications of a Weakened UN:

• Disproportionate Impact on Small States: A weakened or dysfunctional UN is detrimental to small states, which rely on international law and multilateral forums.
• Need for Collective Responsibility: Improving the UN and making it fit for purpose is a collective responsibility.

6. Middle East Conflict and International Law:

• Call for Ceasefire and Humanitarian Assistance: Singapore hopes for an immediate ceasefire, release of hostages, and humanitarian assistance in the Middle East.
• Adherence to International Law: Singapore emphasizes adherence to international law in resolving the conflict, rejecting the notion that "might is right."
• Pragmatic and Constructive Approach: Singapore aims to be pragmatic, constructive, and helpful in building bridges between parties.

7. Notable Quotes:

• "Small states like Singapore or even medium powers still have agency, still have strategic options and the need for us to lean in to support one another and to keep uh multilateral processes and that mindset alive and well."
• "The UN is still the only game in town and it's our duty to lean in and to help this process of engagement."
• "A weakened or dysfunctional UN is very bad for small states."

8. Technical Terms and Concepts:

• Lethal Autonomous Weapons: Weapons systems that can select and engage targets without human intervention.
• Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD): A doctrine of military strategy and national security policy in which a full-scale use of nuclear weapons by two or more opposing sides would cause the complete annihilation of both the attacker and the defender.
• Global Commons: Resources or areas that are not subject to national ownership and are available to all, such as the atmosphere, oceans, and outer space.
• Rules-Based Multilateralism: A system of international relations based on agreed-upon rules and norms, with multiple countries participating in decision-making.
• Transboundary Impact: Effects that cross national borders, such as pollution or climate change impacts.

9. Logical Connections:

The discussion flows logically from identifying key global issues to Singapore's role in addressing them. It connects the need for UN reform to the importance of multilateralism and the agency of small states. The discussion on climate change is linked to the broader theme of protecting the global commons. The Middle East conflict is presented as an example of the need for adherence to international law.

10. Synthesis/Conclusion:

The UNGA discussions highlighted significant global challenges, including war, economic instability, and the impact of AI. Singapore emphasized the importance of multilateralism, the agency of small states, and the need for UN reform. Despite anxieties about the state of the world, Singapore remains optimistic that collective action and adherence to international law can make a difference. The country is committed to playing a constructive role in addressing global challenges and building bridges between nations.