Transcript of Statement By Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Education and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs at the XIX Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement, 20 January 2024

Mr Chairman,

Excellencies,

Distinguished colleagues,

          At the outset, I would like to warmly congratulate Uganda on assuming the chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and for hosting this important Summit. I also thank Azerbaijan for its able leadership over the past four years which saw major crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Allow me to also warmly welcome South Sudan to the now 121-member strong Movement.

Mr Chairman,

We are meeting at a particularly difficult juncture when the world is facing simultaneous crises. In Europe, the war between Russia and Ukraine continues unabated with no sight of a peaceful resolution. In the Middle East, we are witnessing an unfolding human tragedy in Gaza. We condemn the terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel on 7 October 2023 which led to ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza. This has resulted in a humanitarian disaster, with massive losses of innocent civilian lives and catastrophic destruction across Gaza. As the war nears its fourth month, Singapore is deeply distressed by the continued human suffering and despair, and we reiterate our call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. All parties must comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law. Every effort must be made for the urgent and unhindered provision of humanitarian aid to civilians throughout Gaza. We call for the unconditional and safe release of all civilian hostages. Singapore also reaffirms our support for a negotiated two-state solution consistent with relevant UNSC resolutions, with Israelis and Palestinians living side-by-side in peace and security. This remains the only viable option to bring about a durable, just and comprehensive peace.

We are also concerned by the escalation of tensions in other parts of the Middle East, including the unlawful attacks on international merchant shipping in the Red Sea. It is imperative that we uphold the freedom and safety of navigation in international waters, and ensure that sea lines of communication remain open and safe for the free flow of trade. This is in the interests of all NAM Member States.

Meanwhile, the global economic outlook remains uncertain, compounded by challenges such as supply chain disruptions, food insecurity, energy supply volatility and the growing tendency towards protectionist measures. More worryingly, we are seeing rollbacks in hard-won development gains.  The UN reported last September that only 15 percent of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are on track; we are sliding back on many other SDGs. The levels of inequality are rising, both within countries and between countries. At the same time, humanity is facing the unprecedented challenge of climate change.

The NAM can and must work together to find solutions to these complex issues. Singapore welcomes the theme that Uganda has chosen for this Summit – “Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence”, which is highly relevant in this environment. The reality is that these challenges affect all of us, and require collective solutions. In this context, the NAM has a critical role to play. It can be a positive force for peace and security, and a catalyst for solidarity and sustainable development. In that regard, allow me to make two points on how the Movement can be stronger and united in the face of multifaceted and simultaneous crises.

First, NAM must continue to resolutely defend the Bandung Principles, which is the foundation of our Movement. The principles of non-alignment, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, equality among nations, and respect for international law have established NAM as a key player in multilateral fora for the past six decades. These principles have become even more relevant given the increasingly fraught and complex geopolitical climate that we find ourselves in. With sharpening geopolitical rivalry, NAM Members should resist mounting pressures to choose sides and ensure that we remain united and uphold our founding principles of independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, as well as the sovereign equality of States. Here I would like to emphasise that NAM’s principle of non-alignment does not mean that we should remain passive, but that we should actively and consistently defend our principles and the issues important to the Movement such as peace and security and sustainable development. We should steadfastly uphold multilateralism, the UN Charter and international law. We should also strengthen the UN as the foundation for dialogue and international cooperation. In this regard, the Summit of the Future taking place later this year provides a generational opportunity for us to strengthen the rules-based multilateral system and ensure that it is fit-for-purpose to address contemporary challenges and accelerate the implementation of the SDGs. We urge NAM Members to not only actively participate in this important process, but to work together to achieve concrete outcomes at the Summit of the Future. 

Second, NAM must deepen cooperation and play a leading role in tackling the many new and emerging challenges of our times. Issues like climate change, outer space and cyber space have transnational impacts and new implications that cannot be addressed by any one country. They also have disproportionate impacts on developing countries. For example, many small island developing states are highly exposed to the adverse impact of climate change such as extreme weather events. Technology poses another major challenge that we have to grapple with. Technological advancements such as artificial intelligence offer immense opportunities for development. But to fully reap the benefits, we must ensure that technology is used in a way that leaves no one behind. The Movement can and must therefore contribute to the ongoing discussions, to establish global norms and rules to address these new challenges in a way that meets our needs. And we must do so urgently.

Mr Chairman,

In closing, I assure Uganda of Singapore’s full support and close cooperation throughout its chairmanship of NAM, and we are confident that Uganda will take the Movement to greater heights.

Thank you for your attention.

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Photo caption: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Education and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman at the XIX Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement, Kampala, Uganda, 20 January 2024

Photo credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore