Joint Statement on Upholding the Right of Transit Passage delivered by Permanent Representative of Singapore to the UN, Burhan Gafoor, at the 79th Plenary Meeting of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly, New York, 16 April 2026

The 79^th Plenary Meeting of the 80^th Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly was convened on 16 April 2026 to debate the use of the veto at the 10130^th meeting of the UN Security Council on 7 April 2026, of a draft resolution on “The situation in the Middle East”, which would have reaffirmed that all ships and aircraft enjoy the right of unimpeded transit passage through the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international law as reflected in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Singapore’s Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, Burhan Gafoor, delivered a Joint Statement on behalf of Fiji, Jamaica, Malta, and Singapore on the importance of upholding and respecting the right of transit passage in accordance with international law as reflected in UNCLOS. Fiji, Jamaica, Malta and Singapore contributed substantively to the negotiation, drafting, and conclusion of UNCLOS, and have an abiding interest in its faithful implementation. The Statement calls on all concerned parties to uphold their obligations under international law, including to restore unimpeded transit passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and ensure the safety of seafarers and ships. The Statement notes that the right of transit passage is of fundamental importance to international maritime trade. For many small island nations and developing States, with trade dependent economies, disruptions to such passage have severe adverse impacts on economic resilience and energy security.

The Joint Statement is at Annex. Permanent Representative Gafoor also delivered Singapore’s National Statement at the General Assembly, which is at Annex.  

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

17 APRIL 2026

Annex

JOINT STATEMENT BY FIJI, JAMAICA, MALTA AND SINGAPORE ON GENERAL ASSEMBLY AGENDA ITEM 65, “USE OF THE VETO”, 16 APRIL 2026

Mdm President,

1               It is my honour to deliver the following statement on behalf of Fiji, Jamaica, Malta and my own country Singapore. Our four countries contributed actively to the negotiation, drafting and conclusion of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). We remain steadfast stewards of the Convention, committed to upholding it as the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out. For small States, the international rule of law is a matter of survival. We therefore have an abiding interest in the faithful implementation of UNCLOS as the constitution for the oceans, and in reaffirming its universal and unified character.

Mdm President,

2               At the outset, we wish to express our gratitude to you for convening this debate on the use of the veto. The Membership is gathered here today because the veto was exercised to block a draft resolution concerning the Strait of Hormuz. We are disappointed that there could be no agreement on the adoption of the draft resolution, which would have reaffirmed that all ships and aircraft enjoy the right of transit passage through the strait, which shall not be impeded in accordance with international law as reflected in UNCLOS.

3               The Strait of Hormuz is a Strait Used for International Navigation, through which the right of transit passage applies under UNCLOS. This right is also firmly entrenched in customary international law, and it is therefore binding on all States, regardless of whether they are parties to UNCLOS. Transit passage applies during peacetime and war. This right is not contingent on any license or levy. It is an inherent right of ships and aircraft to traverse without prior authorisation. As reflected in Article 44 of UNCLOS, the rule is unequivocal: States bordering such straits shall not hamper or suspend transit passage. There are no exceptions to this inherent right.

4               The right of unimpeded transit passage has been, and continues to be, of fundamental importance to international maritime trade. When transit passage is disrupted, the consequences reverberate across the global economy – through energy markets, supply chains and increased freight costs. For many small island nations and developing States with import-dependent economies, such disruptions have severe impacts on economic resilience and energy security. It is in the collective interest of the international community to ensure respect for and uphold the right of unimpeded transit passage in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as all other Straits Used for International Navigation.

5               The current situation in the Strait of Hormuz, where transit passage has been impeded, is of great concern. We call on all concerned parties to uphold and respect the right of transit passage, comply with all other applicable obligations under international law, restore safe and unimpeded transit passage in the Strait of Hormuz, and ensure the safety of seafarers and ships.

NATIONAL STATEMENT DELIVERED BY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, BURHAN GAFOOR, ON GENERAL ASSEMBLY AGENDA ITEM 65, “USE OF THE VETO”, 16 APRIL 2026

Mdm President,

1               Please allow me to make a few remarks in my national capacity. Singapore had welcomed the announcement of a two-week ceasefire in the Middle East on 8 April 2026. We are encouraged by the step towards de-escalation, and commend the efforts of the mediators, in particular Pakistan. We urge the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran to continue down the path of dialogue and redouble efforts in negotiations that will lead to the permanent end to the conflict and lasting peace and stability in the region. Safe and unimpeded transit passage through the Strait of Hormuz, in accordance with international law and UNCLOS, must be restored. The safety of seafarers and ships must be ensured.

2               Singapore also endorses the statement to be made by the Philippines on behalf of ASEAN. Thank you.