21 Sep 2023
1 Mr President, the Summit of the Future is a generational opportunity for the international community to reinvigorate and strengthen the multilateral system and the UN, to ensure they are relevant, resilient, and fit for purpose. The COVID-19 pandemic served as a reminder that, in an inter-connected world, no one country can deal with global shocks alone. This is why we must work together to defend multilateralism and resist inward-looking protectionist policies.
2 Given the confluence of crises that we are facing today – from the triple planetary crisis relating to climate, food, and water, to technological disruptions such as AI (Artificial intelligence) – the window for action is narrowing and we must seize on the opportunity of the Summit to do so. We are glad to see that an important first step has been taken with Member States agreeing on the scope of the ‘Pact of the Future’, to be adopted at the Summit. Allow me to briefly share Singapore’s thoughts on key issues as we collectively develop this ‘Pact’ over the next year.
3 First, on sustainable development and financing for development. This year’s SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) Summit underscored the worrying message that the world is behind in the implementation of SDGs. Building on the Summit’s outcomes, we need to develop action-oriented strategies which stakeholders can consider and work together to accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda. If we do not urgently address the widening development gap, this could also undermine the global solidarity that we need to tackle other planetary challenges like climate change.
4 Second, on international peace and security. A strong multilateral framework for peace and security issues has to keep pace with the times and be equipped to respond to realities in the current geopolitical and security environment, especially emerging challenges such as AI, cyber, and outer space. We need to redouble efforts to develop norms and rules for these areas to keep up with the rapid technological changes. It is critical that the framework continues to be underpinned by a strong adherence to international law and the UN Charter, based on fundamental principles such as respect for political independence and sovereignty.
5 Third, on science, technology and innovation, and digital cooperation. Singapore supports the development of a substantive Global Digital Compact which will provide a roadmap to guide how we can maximise the opportunities and address the challenges of digital transformation. Our efforts should be guided by three broad principles. It should encourage digital inclusion, promote innovation, and enhance interoperability, or the three ‘I’s. We should also aim towards an action-oriented Compact that allows us to harness the diversity of policies around the world. It should also provide concrete ideas on how we can use technologies such as AI to achieve SDGs, while promoting accountability, trust and confidence by instituting safeguards and governance tools.
6 Lastly, on transforming global governance. We need to revitalise the international financial architecture. The Bretton Woods institutions which were formed after the Second World War were not designed to deal with the multiple new challenges that we face today. We should update and expand the mandates of international financial institutions and multilateral development banks to include the financing of global public goods and the protection of the global commons. We should ensure fair and equitable global access to these global public goods, especially for developing countries in times of crisis. Toward this end, IFIs (International Financial Institutions) should work with the UN to define a core set of global public goods that would benefit from enhanced and predictable global public investment.
7 It is also critical that we strengthen the UN’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively to new and evolving global shocks, given how quickly ripple effects take place today as we have seen in the past few years. A successful Pact for the Future is one that must benefit not just our peoples now, but give hope to future generations.
8 I call on all Member States to work together to achieve substantive, actionable outcomes at the Summit next year. Singapore stands ready to contribute constructively to this process.
9 Thank you, Mr. President.
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