MFA Press Statement: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan at the 72nd Session of the UNGA, 25 September 2017

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan meeting Ambassador Ronald Lauder, President of the World Jewish Congress (WJC) in New York. [Photo: MFA]

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan meeting American Jewish Committee (AJC) CEO and Executive Director David Harris as well as other members of the AJC leadership in New York. [Photo: MFA]

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan meeting Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Asim on the sidelines of the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly. [Photo: MFA]

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan meeting Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Augustine Mahiga on the sidelines of the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly. [Photo: MFA]

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan at the Reception to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Forum of Small States (FOSS) at the Singapore Permanent Mission to the United Nations. [Photo: MFA]

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan delivering the welcome remarks at the Reception to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Forum of Small States (FOSS) at the Singapore Permanent Mission to the United Nations. [Photo: MFA]

     Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan held bilateral meetings with the Foreign Ministers of Tanzania and Maldives.  They discussed issues relating to the UN and sustainable development, as well as ways of further strengthening bilateral ties.

     Minister Balakrishnan hosted a Reception at the Permanent Mission of Singapore to the United Nations to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Forum of Small States (FOSS). The reception was attended by representatives from all UN-member countries and the President of the General Assembly, His Excellency Miroslav Lajčák. In his remarks at the reception, Minister Balakrishnan highlighted the need for small states to work together at the UN to advance their common interests. The text of Minister Balakrishnan’s remarks at the Reception is below.

     Minister Balakrishnan also met World Jewish Congress President Ronald Lauder, and was hosted to lunch by American Jewish Committee (AJC) CEO and Executive Director David Harris as well as other members of the AJC leadership in New York. They discussed recent international developments and current issues at the UN.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

26 SEPTEMBER 2017

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Your Excellency Miroslav Lajčák

President of the 72^nd General Assembly

Excellencies

Distinguished Guests

1             Thank you for being here tonight to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the establishment of the Forum of Small States, otherwise known as FOSS.

2             I am pleased to see several Ministers and Heads of Delegation present this evening.  I would like to acknowledge and welcome them warmly to the Singapore Mission.

3             I also warmly welcome all Permanent Representatives as well as senior officials from the UN Secretariat.  Your presence is very much appreciated.

4             Most of all, we are honoured by the presence of the President of the General Assembly, His Excellency Miroslav Lajčák.  I take this opportunity to congratulate him for the excellent way in which he has presided over the General Assembly last week. 

5             Mr President, I wish to pay you a special tribute.  We are lucky to have you as our leader during a period of great uncertainty and turmoil around the world.  You bring a cool-headed and pragmatic approach to solving problems, through mediation, quiet diplomacy and, of course, hard work. 

6             Under your leadership, we have had a good start to the 72^nd General Assembly.  But the real work begins now.  I wish you all the best as you continue your good work.   You can count on all of us to stand with you and support your work as President of the 72^nd General Assembly.

7             Tonight, we are here to celebrate the 25^th Anniversary of the founding of the Forum of Small States.  FOSS was the initiative of one of Singapore’s former Permanent Representatives, Ambassador Chew Tai Soo.

8             The reasoning behind FOSS is a simple one; that small states can and must work together at the UN to advance our common interests.  There is no doubt that as a group, small states can better amplify our voice and our influence on the global stage.  More importantly, small states are united in their strong support for the UN and the multilateral rules-based system.

9             FOSS continues to be relevant because it speaks to a simple reality; that small states face big common challenges and vulnerabilities.

10           The world has changed a great deal in the last 25 years. But the vulnerabilities of small states have not changed.  In some ways, small states today are even more vulnerable.  We are vulnerable to the impacts of economic turmoil and geopolitical instability.  We are especially vulnerable to climate change and extreme weather events.  The series of hurricanes in the Caribbean in recent weeks are a tragic reminder of the fragility of small states. 

11           We are proud that as a grouping, FOSS has grown to 107 member-countries, comprising more than half of the UN membership.  The real strength of FOSS is that it is a cross-regional group, with members from all continents and groupings.  This helps us to build understanding between us and between our groups.

12          We are also proud that small states are making positive contributions to the UN.  For example, we are proud that our PGA comes from the Slovak Republic, a FOSS member country.  The last two Presidents of the General Assembly were also from FOSS member-countries, namely Fiji and Denmark.  Four FOSS countries are currently members of the Security Council,[1] and three FOSS members will chair the Main committees of the 72^nd General Assembly[2].   Small states play an active role at the UN because we are deeply committed to the success of the UN.

13           Let me conclude by saying that FOSS members believe strongly in reaching out to all countries, large and small.  We believe in building partnerships and in building consensus.  The key point to note is this: all of us, whether we represent small states or large states, have a common interest to make the UN succeed. 

14           May I now invite you to raise your glasses in a toast to:

(a)             The continued success of the Forum of Small States; and

(b)             To the success of the President of the General Assembly.

15           May the “FOSS” be with you.  Thank you.

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[1]               The four countries that are currently members of the UNSC are: Bolivia, Senegal, Sweden and Uruguay.

[2]               The three FOSS members currently chairing the UN Committees are: Estonia (2^nd Committee), Iceland (3^rd Committee), and Singapore (6^th Committee).