MFA Press Statement: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan at the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly, 22 September 2017

        Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, who is in New York for the 72^nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), hosted the 10^th Global Governance Group (3G)^[1] Ministerial Meeting over breakfast. During the meeting, the 3G Ministers discussed global developments with the G20 troika (which comprises China, Germany and Argentina).  The President of the General Assembly, Miroslav Lajčák, gave an opening address, underlining the need for the G20 to work closely with the UN. Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship Jorge Faurie briefed the meeting on Argentina’s plans for its upcoming G20 Presidency in 2018, and its continued engagement of the 3G.  The 3G meeting was attended by the Foreign Ministers of several countries, including Panama, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Jamaica, Bahamas and Brunei Darussalam.  The meeting adopted a Press Statement, as attached at Annex.

        Minister Balakrishnan met with the Foreign Ministers of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Council on Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), as well as the Foreign Ministers of the Pacific Alliance^[2].  Minister Balakrishnan also attended the meetings between the Foreign Ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the MERCOSUR countries. In his various meetings, Minister Balakrishnan discussed global developments, and ways to enhance cross-regional trade and investment links.   

        Minister Balakrishnan deposited Singapore’s instrument of ratification for the Minamata Convention on Mercury (Minamata Convention) at the 2017 United Nations Treaty Event.  Singapore signed this global pact on curbing mercury pollution and use on 10 October 2013 to demonstrate its commitment to safeguard public health and the environment.

        Minister Balakrishnan also held bilateral meetings with the Foreign Ministers from Qatar, Estonia, Iceland, and Mexico at the sidelines of the UNGA to reaffirm our warm relations.  During the meetings, Minister Balakrishnan and the leaders discussed regional developments, as well as ways of further strengthening bilateral links. Minister also attended the reception hosted by the Vice-President of Indonesia Jusuf Kalla to mark Indonesia’s 72^nd Independence Day.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
23 SEPTEMBER 2017

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¹               The 3G comprises the following Member States of the United Nations: Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Costa Rica, Finland, Guatemala, Jamaica, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg (which currently holds the Presidency of the Council of Europe), Malaysia, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, the Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, San Marino, Senegal, Singapore, Slovenia, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, Uruguay and Vietnam.

²                      The Pacific Alliance comprises Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru.

ANNEX

PRESS STATEMENT BY THE GLOBAL GOVERNANCE GROUP (3G) ON ITS TENTH MINISTERIAL MEETING IN NEW YORK ON 22 SEPTEMBER 2017

1        The Global Governance Group (3G) ^[1] held its 10^th Ministerial Meeting in New York on 22 September 2017, on the sidelines of the 72^nd session of the United Nations General Assembly.  The 3G invited the President of the 72^nd United Nations General Assembly, H.E. Miroslav Lajcak, as well as the previous, present and incoming Presidents of the G20 (troika) – China, Germany and Argentina – to engage in a dialogue with the 3G during the meeting.  This engagement with key stakeholders is part of the 3G’s ongoing efforts to promote a more effective, accountable and inclusive framework of global governance.

2        The 3G Ministers had a productive exchange with the G20 troika on the outcomes of the G20 Summit in Hamburg from 7 – 8 July 2017.  The 3G Ministers welcomed the G20’s reiteration of its commitment to pursuing strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth.  The 3G Ministers also applauded the G20’s resolve to build on the rules-based international trading system and tackle common challenges to the global community including terrorism, displacement, poverty, hunger and health threats, job creation, climate change, energy security, and gender inequality.  The 3G Ministers emphasised the need for the G20 to align their actions with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

3        The 3G Ministers welcomed the steps taken by the G20 towards greater inclusiveness and transparency, and commended the active outreach efforts undertaken by Germany during its 2017 G20 Presidency.  The 3G Ministers appreciated the briefings given by Germany on its G20 Presidency on the sidelines of United Nations meetings in New York, in particular, the participation by then-German Minister for Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Ninth 3G Ministerial Meeting in New York on 22 September 2016.

4        The 3G Ministers looked forward to continuing their partnership with the G20 under Argentina’s Presidency in 2018.  The 3G Ministers urged Argentina to continue the G20’s commitment to engage the 3G, as well as other regional and international organisations, in particular the United Nations. 

5        The 3G Ministers reiterated their position on the role of international organisations with universal membership in global standard setting. The United Nations is the only global body with universal participation and unquestioned legitimacy, and actions by the G20 should complement and strengthen the United Nations system.  

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  22 September 2017

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1               The 3G comprises the following Member States of the United Nations: Bahamas, the Kingdom of Bahrain, Barbados, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Costa Rica, the Republic of Finland, Guatemala, Jamaica, Kuwait, the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Malaysia, the Principality of Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, the Republic of the Philippines, the State of Qatar, the Republic of Rwanda, the Republic of San Marino, the Republic of Senegal, the Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovenia, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, Uruguay and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan hosting the 10th Global Governance Group (3G) Ministerial Meeting. [Photo Credit: MFA]

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan hosting the 10th Global Governance Group (3G) Ministerial Meeting. [Photo Credit: MFA]

Minister Balakrishnan meeting with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR). [Photo Credit: MFA]

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan meeting Qatar Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani on the sidelines of the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly. [Photo Credit: MFA]

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan meeting Estonia Minister of Foreign Affairs Sven Mikser on the sidelines of the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly. [Photo Credit: MFA]

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan meeting Iceland Minister for Foreign Affairs Gadlaugur Thor Thordarson on the sidelines of the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly. [Photo Credit: MFA]

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan depositing Singapore’s instrument of ratification for the Minamata Convention on Mercury (Minamata Convention) at the 2017 United Nations Treaty Event. [Photo Credit: MFA]

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and Mrs Joy Balakrishnan with Indonesian Vice-President Jusuf Kalla at Indonesia’s 72nd Independence Day reception. [Photo Credit: MFA]

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan meeting Brunei Second Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng on the sidelines of the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly. [Photo Credit: MFA]