05 Oct 2021
1 Mdm Chair, at the outset, my delegation congratulates you on your election. You and your bureau have Singapore’s full support for a productive session.
2 Even under the shadow of the global pandemic, international terrorism remains a scourge on global peace and security. Terrorists continue to undermine social cohesion in our societies by radicalising and recruiting members through instilling fear and hatred. Singapore strongly condemns all forms of terrorism and reiterates our commitment to the global fight against it.
3 Addressing the complex challenges posed by international terrorism requires effort at all levels. In this regard, I wish to highlight three points on Singapore’s counter-terrorism efforts.
4 First, there is a Whole of Government effort to maintain close coordination among government agencies to identify the key risks posed by international terrorism. Among others, this includes agencies overseeing the financial, including virtual assets service providers, non-profit and precious stones and precious metals dealers sectors, so as to take into account feedback from the relevant stakeholders through their networks. One outcome of this inter-agency effort was the publication of the Terrorism Financing National Risk Assessment in December 2020. The Assessment showed that Singapore continues to be vulnerable to terrorism financing threats posed by terrorist groups both regionally and internationally, in particular, due to the radicalisation of individuals sympathetic to the cause of such groups. Following the Assessment, Singapore will be elaborating our specific plans in a National Counter Financing of Terrorism Strategy.
5 Second, Singapore has adopted strategic frameworks to prevent and detect the financing of terrorism from Singapore. Our legal framework enables law enforcement authorities to take swift and effective action against terrorists, terrorist groups and their supporters, including financiers of terrorism. Singapore has a zero-tolerance policy on any terrorism financing activities. We also leverage public-private partnerships to enhance operational efficiency and our understanding of the risk landscape. In addition, Singapore’s regulatory and supervisory frameworks require the relevant stakeholders to adhere to robust anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism requirements that are aligned with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards and international best practices. In line with the enhanced FATF standards for virtual assets service providers, Singapore updated our payment services legislation earlier this year to better mitigate the money-laundering and terrorism financing risks. We have enhanced our surveillance and supervisory activities focusing on higher terrorism financing risk areas. In addition, we have conducted targeted outreach to raise stakeholders’ awareness of terrorism financing and the need to adopt appropriate risk mitigation measures.
6 Third, Singapore continues to actively engage in counter-terrorism cooperation and efforts at the regional and international levels. Within the Southeast Asian region, we actively participate in and support regional forums and projects, including those organised under the auspices of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). At the international level, Singapore is party to 15 global counter-terrorism agreements. This year, the Singapore Ministry of Defence established a multilateral Counter-Terrorism Information Facility, bringing together like-minded countries to share intelligence and provide early warning, monitoring and analysis capabilities in a centralised and coordinated manner. At the United Nations, we firmly support the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (GCTS). We welcome the adoption of the General Assembly’s resolution on the seventh GCTS review and the convening of the Second UN High-Level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies of Member States earlier this year.
7 My delegation supports the work of the working group established with a view to finalising the process on the draft comprehensive convention on international terrorism as well as discussions on the item included in its agenda by resolution 54/110 concerning the question of convening a high-level conference under the auspices of the United Nations. We look forward to working closely with the Chair and members of the working group toward a consensual outcome on the outstanding issues.
8 Thank you.
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