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Ministry of Foreign Affairs

United Nations (UN)

Explore Singapore’s partnership with the UN—from supporting humanitarian aid and sustainable development to shaping global governance through the Global Centre for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development (GC-TISD).

Last updated 7 November 2025

Overview

Singapore joined the UN on 21 September 1965 after gaining independence on 9 August 1965. Small states like Singapore now comprise more than half of the UN membership. The UN Charter's principles of sovereign equality, peaceful settlement of disputes, and non-interference in the internal affairs of states are especially important to small states.

Singapore supports many UN initiatives including the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and participates actively in the ongoing process of UN reform to ensure that the UN is revitalised to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Singapore served as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC) from 2001 to 2002. During this term, Singapore sought to bring the perspective of small states to the UNSC, reflect developing countries’ concerns, and make the UNSC more transparent and accountable to the larger UN membership.

The UN is the only global body with universal participation and unquestioned legitimacy. Thus, other global processes like the G20 should recognise and reflect this reality. In this regard, groups like the Global Governance Group (3G) (comprising 30 small and medium-sized states, which Singapore helped to form at the UN) can help strengthen engagement between the G20 and non-G20 members.

Singapore has worked closely with UN bodies such as the UN Department of Political Affairs, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in support of their work in the region. Together with the UNDP, we have repositioned the UNDP Global Policy Centre in Singapore as the Global Centre for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development (GC-TISD). We will work with the GC-TISD to assist fellow developing countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals using Singapore’s experience as a living lab for global sustainability solutions.

Recent highlights

  • PM Lee Hsien Loong delivered a video message at the High-Level Meeting commemorating the UN’s 75th anniversary on 21 September 2020.

  • Minister (Foreign Affairs) Dr Vivian Balakrishnan delivered Singapore’s National Statement at the General Debate of the 75th Session of the UN General Assembly on 26 September 2020.