VIVIAN BALAKRISHNAN, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore, observed that the world is in “an acutely dangerous phase”, and civilians in multiple trouble spots are paying a terrible price.  The risks of miscalculation and escalation have sharply increased, notably in the Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan and the Korean Peninsula.  The lack of trust among major Powers and the deficit of global leadership makes it difficult to find peaceful solutions to ongoing conflicts.  And a reformed UN is essential for global solutions on almost every issue confronting the international community — from peace and security to climate change, from the ocean to outer space, and from poverty to food insecurity.  Underscoring that recent violations of international law must not become normalized, he said that the ongoing war in Ukraine exemplifies a flagrant violation of the UN Charter.

“For small States, multilateralism is not an option but an existential necessity,” he stated, expressing support for the International Court of Justice, which is paramount for upholding the rule of law and protecting the interests of all countries.  In addition, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea is crucial for an island State dependent on trade like Singapore, he said, adding that it provides a foundation for coordinating efforts on issues such as sea level rise, plastic pollution, loss of biodiversity and ocean acidification.  Spotlighting the New Agenda for Peace, he underlined the need to strengthen the UN’s role in promoting peace and security, particularly in preventive diplomacy, mediation and conflict prevention.  “Such efforts are urgently needed to save civilian lives and prevent catastrophes,” he added.

Gravely concerned with the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the sheer scale of human suffering, Singapore has contributed over S$17 million in humanitarian aid and donations for Gaza, including through the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and UNRWA.  Emphasizing the need for the safe and unhindered provision of humanitarian aid to all civilians in need, he called for an immediate ceasefire and the immediate, unconditional and safe release of all hostages.  He also underscored the need to accelerate collective efforts in combating climate change, noting that — like all small island States — Singapore is vulnerable to its impacts, especially sea level rise. It is also vital to transform global governance institutions by making them more representative and responsive, particularly to the needs of small States and developing countries.