30 Jul 2015
Mr President, we join others in expressing appreciation to New Zealand for giving attention to issues important to Small Island Developing States by hosting this UNSC Open Debate on peace and security challenges. Singapore was privileged to have worked closely with New Zealand to shepherd the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (S.A.M.O.A.) Pathway at the Third SIDS Conference in Apia last September. The vulnerabilities faced by SIDS can often accentuate many of the challenges which are common to all nations. A major preoccupation of SIDS is in dealing with the adverse impacts of climate change, which besides being an existential threat in itself, has a multiplier effect on non-traditional security threats.
2 High degrees of climate change pose enormous risks to national and international security. Climate change impacts could also indirectly lead to transboundary issues like pollution and an increased risk of terrorism if states fail, and higher temperatures can accelerate the spread of some diseases to epidemic proportions. In terms of disaster risk reduction and relief, the capacity of the international community for humanitarian assistance is already at full stretch and could be overwhelmed. The role played by climate change in exacerbating such non-traditional security threats should therefore not be ignored.
3 The risks related to climate change are clear and present to many. A recent Pew Research Centre survey measuring perceptions of international challenges showed global climate change as the top threat perceived by countries in Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. A sizeable portion of the 45,000 persons surveyed in 40 nations cited climate change as their biggest worry - more than the threat of ISIS, making it the most widespread concern of any issue included in the survey. The sense of urgency reflected in these recent reports is something which SIDS have long been seized with – because SIDS have to cope with these in every aspect of planning and development at the national level.
4 As we anticipate a new global agreement on climate change at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in December this year, the urgency of helping SIDS adapt to the impacts of climate change should be seen through the lens of these non-traditional security implications. Climate change can be a threat multiplier, and the quest to reduce vulnerability and increase resilience of SIDS takes on additional dimensions of urgency. The S.A.M.O.A. Pathway recognises that sea-level rise and other adverse impacts of climate change continue to pose a significant risk to SIDS’ efforts to achieve sustainable development. For instance, climate change implications tied in with other threats could lead to displacement of populations, and conflict over resources due to food and water scarcity.
5 The S.A.M.O.A. Pathway reaffirmed that SIDS remain a special case for sustainable development in view of such unique and particular vulnerabilities. The document identifies direct responses to a host of challenges which SIDS would be particularly vulnerable to, with concrete modalities of action to tackle disaster risk reduction, food and energy security, as well as water and sanitation, amongst others. Addressing such challenges effectively will help each SIDS manage its overall resilience to climate change and reduce non-traditional threats to peace and security.
6 International support for adaptation efforts lags behind support for mitigation actions. Yet many SIDS undertake adaptation actions with domestic resources, at significant opportunity costs to other development priorities. The truth of the matter is, tackling these challenges is an existential issue for SIDS. We have no choice but to undertake adaptation efforts to increase resilience, reduce vulnerability, and avoid loss and damage. We need to do this whether there is a global climate agreement or not. In this respect, some of the actions identified in the S.A.M.O.A Pathway can make a qualitative difference at the national level. Examples include improving the baseline monitoring of island systems and downscaling of climate model projections which will help to enable better projections of the future impacts on small islands. To increase human and environmental resilience to the longer-term impacts of climate change, there needs to be continued support towards raising awareness and communication of climate change risks, including through public dialogue with local communities.
7 Also, SIDS seek to achieve (i) sustainable energy goals, through better energy efficiency and sustainable energy systems, including an integrated approach to establishing and strengthening innovative energy road maps; (ii) disaster risk reduction goals through early warning systems, better risk assessment and data collection as well as contingency planning for better disaster preparedness and response; and (iii) greater food security and nutrition through promoting open and efficient international and domestic markets, and enhancing international cooperation to maintain access to global food markets, particularly during periods of higher volatility in commodity markets. Such actions can contribute directly to the reduction of vulnerability, enhancement of resilience and the reduction of non-traditional security threats.
8 Singapore is committed to helping our fellow SIDS in building capacity to take such actions. At the 3rd SIDS Conference in Apia, Singapore launched a three year technical cooperation package dedicated for SIDS that includes customised programmes in areas like climate change, sustainable development and disaster management. In collaboration with the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, we will also conduct a specialised training course for SIDS this October on implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, including climate change adaptation and mitigation measures.
9 The adaptation objectives which SIDS have been championing are not empty demands being made at negotiations. They are real needs. The design and implementation of climate change adaptation measures must be appropriate to the respective vulnerabilities and national circumstances for it to truly be able to safeguard our security. This debate at the UNSC level is hence very welcome in drawing attention to the need for greater support for these ongoing efforts of SIDS. The global nature of climate change calls for the widest possible cooperation by all countries and their participation in an effective and appropriate international response. We need genuine and durable partnerships that harness the full potential of engagement between governments at all levels. Businesses, civil society and a wide range of other national and regional stakeholders can also play important roles in helping SIDS better mainstream adaptation needs as we advance sustainable development.
10 In closing, we once again thank New Zealand for its leadership in providing the opportunity to bring these pertinent issues to the fore at this open debate.
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