YouSaid · the spoken record

Chua

lines on the record
24
first
2011-11-30
most recent
2018-12-06
sittings or episodes
4
sources
un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

  1. “This is an important element in gaining the trust and confidence of the parties involved. Trust and confidence are integral to any dialogue and negotiation process.”

    2018-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8414 (2018) · source

  2. “The recognition of the contributions of regional organizations to peace and security is not new, and has been outlined in Security Council resolution 1631 (2005) and General Assembly resolution 69/277, entitled "Political declaration on strengthening cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations". Just last week, the General Assembly adopted seven resolutions that highlighted the further collaboration and deepening engagement between regional organizations and the United Nations. Given their specialized knowledge, functional expertise and holistic understanding of regional contexts, such organizations can contribute to enhancing the work of the United Nations in a manner that takes into account the specific circumstances and needs of each Member State.”

    2018-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8414 (2018) · source

  3. “States and regional organizations must be meaningfully engaged to complement the work of the United Nations in addressing these issues. The Plan of Action (2016-2020) to Implement the Joint Declaration on Comprehensive Partnership between ASEAN and the United Nations is an example. It outlines the strategic priorities that will be undertaken by both sides to further enhance political, security, economic and sociocultural cooperation. Of note, it promotes closer cooperation for sustaining peace, preventive diplomacy and confidence-building measures though capacity- building activities. The importance of enhancing cooperation in preventive diplomacy and conflict prevention was further emphasized in the recent meeting between ASEAN members and the United Nations Secretary-General in September.”

    2018-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8414 (2018) · source

  4. “The ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting-Plus (ADMM- Plus), which involves eight of ASEAN's dialogue partners - namely, Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the United States - aims to achieve that at the highest level among the respective Defence Ministers. The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) comprises 27 members, including the European Union, and seeks to do the same. Both the ADMM-Plus and the ARF are ASEAN-led mechanisms that provide avenues for greater interaction and dialogue among countries. They play an important role in conflict prevention and in the development of a more robust, rules-based regional security order. The United Nations cannot prevent conflict or deal with these transboundary and contemporary threats alone.”

    2018-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8414 (2018) · source

  5. “There are and will be disagreements, but what is important is that each ASEAN member State remains committed to consensus and resolving differences through words rather than weapons. In this day and age, that is an achievement worth celebrating and must also be preserved at all costs. ASEAN also recognizes that an effective regional security framework for peace and stability has to be based on strong support for a rules-based multilateral system and international law. We also need to have greater communication, mutual trust and confidence among all relevant stakeholders in the region so that miscalculations and mishaps are minimized.”

    2018-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8414 (2018) · source

  6. “AsafoundingmemberoftheAssociationofSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which was established 51 years ago, Singapore has seen the strides that ASEAN has taken over the decades in its contributions to peace and stability in the region. ASEAN was formed at a time of great geopolitical instability. South-East Asia was divided and conflicts were rife. The fact that the founding members of ASEAN - Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand - could get together to establish ASEAN, despite their fundamental differences, was a major achievement. Since then, the ASEAN family has grown to 10 members. There has been no outright conflict or war between ASEAN member States.”

    2018-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8414 (2018) · source

  7. “I thank you, Mr. President, for convening this open debate on the very important topic of the role of States, regional arrangements and the United Nations in the prevention and resolution of conflicts. As a small country, Singapore's security and prosperity are highly dependent on a stable regional and international order. We therefore firmly believe in conflict prevention and preventive diplomacy. Timely political action must be taken to prevent disputes that could threaten regional peace and stability from escalating into all-out confrontation. Singapore also believes that regional security and stability are best served by a robust, open and inclusive security architecture that encourages all relevant parties to have a voice at the table and engage constructively in dialogue with one another.”

    2018-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8414 (2018) · source

  8. “Singapore firmly supports all international and regional cooperation to combat terrorism, including the implementation of the United Nations Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy and all Security Council resolutions related to counter-terrorism. We welcomed the adoption of resolution 2170 (2014) on 15 August, which condemned the terrorist acts and violent extremist ideology of ISIL and the Al-Nusra Front and urged all United Nations Members to take appropriate measures to combat terrorism. Resolution 2178 (2014) on foreign terrorist fighters, adopted by the Council today, is an important step in the global effort to combat terrorism, and Singapore was pleased to co-sponsor it. We stand ready to play our part in combatting the threat of global terrorism.”

    2014-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7272 (2014) · source

  9. “The Singapore Government has supported and worked with our Muslim religious leaders, community groups and individuals to rehabilitate terrorist detainees and to delegitimize radical ideologies. Singapore welcomes the strong leadership of the United States on this issue, in particular the formation of an international coalition to combat the ISIL threat. Singapore also welcomes the Jeddah Communique issues by Arab countries of the region to stand united against ISIL. Both will be critical in cutting off financial and material support for ISIL and preventing the movement of foreign terrorist fighters, as well as in the ideological battle.”

    2014-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7272 (2014) · source

  10. “Al-Qaida's key regional affiliate in South-East Asia, Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), has been responsible for several large-scale terrorist attacks, such as the Bali bombings in 2002. In December 2001, the Singapore Government foiled a plot by JI members to attack targets in Singapore, including a number of diplomatic missions. Fortunately, they were stopped before they could do harm. Terrorist groups such as ISIL and the Al-Nusra Front are a threat to the entire world. The international community must counter that growing global threat with a comprehensive strategy that addresses not just the military but also the ideological aspects of the conflict. We must counter the radical ideology used to recruit foreign terrorist fighters, which fuels their violent extremist agenda.”

    2014-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7272 (2014) · source

  11. “We extend our deepest condolences to all who have suffered or who have lost loved ones. Singapore is not immune to the threat of terrorism and radical ideologies. There are foreign fighters in Syria who have traveled from South-East Asia. The Singapore Government knows of a handful of Singaporeans who have gone to Syria to take part in the conflict. Other Singaporeans expressed interest to join the fighting in Syria but were stopped before they were able to travel. Like many countries, Singapore is gravely concerned about the potential threat posed by returning terrorist fighters. The Soviet-Afghan war drew in thousands of foreign fighters, led to the creation of Al-Qaida and inspired the creation of other terrorist groups.”

    2014-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7272 (2014) · source

  12. “Foreign terrorist fighters are a clear threat to international peace and security. An estimated 12,000 foreigners from over 70 countries have participated in the conflicts in Iraq and Syria. That is the largest mobilization of foreign militants since the Soviet-Afghan War in the 1980s. It is not just the number of foreign fighters that has been commanding attention, but the horrific tactics used by terrorist organizations like the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and the Al-Nusra Front. Their violent campaigns against minority groups in northern Iraq and Syria, the brutal murders of Muslims and non-Muslims, the abduction of innocent civilians and the widespread abuse of human rights constitute crimes against humanity. Singapore condemns in the strongest possible terms the actions of ISIL and other terrorist groups.”

    2014-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7272 (2014) · source

  13. “Indeed, my delegation believes that the Security Council, and permanent members in particular, shoulder a long-standing responsibility on behalf of the international community. By and large, the Security Council does good work on behalf of Member States in preserving international peace and security. However, the P-5's continued resistance to constructive proposals on working methods does not serve the interests of the United Nations membership or the legitimacy and transparency of the Security Council, or even ultimately the interests of the P-5 themselves. I hope that it will not take a crisis of seismic proportions to precipitate a fundamental change.”

    2012-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6870 (2012) · source

  14. “That aspect was considered particularly controversial by the P-5, which were affronted by the suggestion that limits be placed on the use of their veto power. That position was shared by all the P-5, even those who fervently support the principle of responsibility to protect. Those permanent members that repeatedly express outrage at what is happening within the Council on issues like Syria are the same ones that blocked A/66/L.42/Rev.2. Trumpeting moral outrage over the Council's non-action is particularly hypocritical because whatever divisions there may be among the P-5, they are united in having no limits placed on their use or abuse of the veto. My statement today is not intended to be a diatribe on the Security Council or the P-5. I hope that I will not be misunderstood.”

    2012-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6870 (2012) · source

  15. “Instead, it was a permanent member who faxed and emailed OLA's legal opinion to all Member States the morning of the formal consideration of the draft resolution, with the admonition to all Member States to support a no-action motion on A/66/L.42/Rev.2. How did that P-5 mission procure the OLA's legal opinion, even before the President of the General Assembly himself had circulated it to the United Nations membership? What does that say about the P-5's real position on working methods of the Security Council? Do deeds match words? Let me cite another example. Draft resolution A/66/L.42/Rev.2 had asked the P-5 to consider refraining from vetoing action aimed at preventing genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.”

    2012-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6870 (2012) · source

  16. “One particular incident highlights the P-5's determined resistance to the reform of the Council's working methods, despite whatever they may proclaim to the contrary. In response to a query from the President of the General Assembly at its sixty-sixth session, the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) gave an interpretation that "it would be appropriate if the General Assembly were to adopt the draft resolution with the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the General Assembly membership". Member States learnt of that legal opinion, not from OLA or even from the President of the General Assembly, who had first raised the query.”

    2012-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6870 (2012) · source

  17. “Naturally, the P-5 will point to an increased number of open meetings and outreach to the general membership as evidence of their commitment to improving working methods. But meetings are no substitute for genuine improvements. Few issues galvanize the P-5 into a unity of purpose and action as quickly as opposition to working methods reform. Member States are no doubt familiar with what happened in May when the group of five small countries presented draft resolution A/66/L.42/Rev.2, designed to improve the working methods of the Council. The draft resolution's aims were frankly rather modest, and the impact of the recommendations would have been limited even if they had been adopted, but the P-5 resorted to strong-arm tactics in order to ensure that A/66/L.42/Rev.2 never saw the light of day.”

    2012-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6870 (2012) · source

  18. “We are expected to dutifully contribute to the Council's mandated operations and comply with its decisions or lack thereof, even if they are not in the interests of the international community. Public statements made by the P-5 would suggest that they share our position on the need for improvements to the Council's working methods. At last year's open debate (S/PV.6672), almost all of the permanent members spoke in support of improving the Council's working methods. This morning, we have also heard various permanent members express similar support for and commitment to reforming the Council's working methods. My delegation welcomes those commitments. We are therefore puzzled that whenever serious opportunities for improvements in working methods are presented, they are more often than not blocked by none other than the P-5.”

    2012-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6870 (2012) · source

  19. “I thank you, Mr. President, for convening today's debate. I will deliver a shortened version of my statement; a longer version is being circulated in the Chamber. As is well known, Singapore strongly supports Security Council reform, particularly in the area of working methods. The working methods of the Security Council are of fundamental interest to all Member States. The Council has the power to authorize military action and international sanctions - decisions that are binding on all Member States. Through the veto, the five permanent members (P-5) can also prevent the Council from taking such measures. Yet most of us have no way of influencing the decisions of the Council. We are called and dismissed entirely at the Council's discretion, even on issues that affect our countries directly.”

    2012-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6870 (2012) · source

  20. “We need a sustained and genuine dialogue between the Council and the wider membership on working methods that can help us reflect on where we are, review what has yet to be done, and figure out what more we should do. The 8-5 stands ready to engage constructively with the Council on that important endeavour. The world is undergoing a profound transition and transformation. We are at an inflection point. The Security Council needs to adapt to changing geostrategic circumstances. The ultimate solution that we all look towards is, of course, broad-based Council reform, but working methods need to be improved now. Otherwise, the Council and the United Nations both risk becoming a broken record. In this wired and networked age, the Council and the United Nations should be working on a digital platform, not an analog turntable.”

    2011-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6672Resumption1 (2011) · source

  21. “But open debates in themselves do not necessarily enhance the Council's accountability, transparency, inclusiveness or effectiveness. Given that outcomes are often predetermined, it is difficult to see how open debates can give Member States insight into the Council's deliberations or enable the Council to benefit from Member States' views on its work. To be honest, the so-called open debates seem to substitute for genuine dialogue between the Council and the wider membership. Such suboptimal communication between the Council and the General Assembly cannot continue. If we are unintelligible even to ourselves, we will not be able to send the strong and coherent messages that the world is in dire need of today. It is clear that there are still many working methods issues to be addressed.”

    2011-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6672Resumption1 (2011) · source

  22. “I will mention one proposal that is closely tied to inclusiveness. The growing complexity of today's global challenges means that the Council must consider many factors and actors, if it were to address any problem comprehensively. When considering peacekeeping mandates, for instance, there is a need to systematically factor in peacebuilding considerations. The Council could regularly invite Chairs of the country-specific configurations of the Peacebuilding Commission to participate in relevant discussions. It would also be good if the Council sought out Member States' views on their ability to implement Council decisions. Some will point to the increasing number of open debates in the Council as evidence of the Council's reformed working methods.”

    2011-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6672Resumption1 (2011) · source

  23. “Progress in working methods reform remains uneven and slow. Some may argue that the Council should not be marching to the tune of the General Assembly, as the Council is master of its own procedures. However, the effective functioning of the Council directly impacts not just relations between the General Assembly and the Council, but also each and every Member State with a stake in international peace and security. If the Council is to act for the benefit of the wider membership, it should be willing to engage members in open and honest dialogue and create a virtuous cycle of feedback and effective decision- making. In that spirit, we in the 8-5 have set out in our draft resolution specific suggestions on how the authority and effectiveness of the Council could be improved.”

    2011-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6672Resumption1 (2011) · source

  24. “I thank Portugal for convening this important debate, and I thank you personally, Sir, for your leadership. Singapore fully subscribes to the statement delivered by the Permanent Representative of Switzerland, who spoke on behalf of the group of five small nations (8-5). The call for improved working methods of the Security Council and the reasons for that call have worn a deep groove in the Council and the General Assembly. Unless improvements are made, there is a real risk that the Security Council and the United Nations as a whole will end up sounding like a broken record to the rest of the world. To remain relevant, the Council needs to ensure, through reform of its working methods, that it is accountable, transparent, inclusive and effective. However, this refrain has fallen on deaf ears.”

    2011-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6672Resumption1 (2011) · source