Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Maliki Osman are currently in New York for the United Nations High-Level Week. They are participating in various summits and roundtables and meeting with international counterparts. The week will culminate with speeches from several world leaders, including Joe Biden, who addressed the UN for the final time as U.S. president.
Background
The United Nations High-Level Week is a significant event where global leaders converge to discuss pressing international issues. This year, Singapore’s participation is marked by high-level engagements and calls for substantial reforms in international governance structures. The presence of Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and Second Minister Maliki Osman underscores Singapore’s active role in global diplomacy.
Palestinian Authority
On 25 September, Vivian Balakrishnan met with Muhammad Mustafa, the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Palestinian Authority. This meeting followed an earlier encounter in 2024 during Vivian’s visit to the Middle East. They discussed the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and explored ways to provide more medical and humanitarian support. Singapore has already contributed over S$17 million in donations. Vivian reiterated Singapore’s call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages. He stated, “We look forward to peace, progress, and reconstruction that the Palestinian people need and deserve.”
UNSC reform
Vivian addressed the UN Security Council (UNSC) for the first time on 25 September, calling for reforms to constrain the veto powers of the permanent members (P5) – the U.S., Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom. He urged the UNSC to focus on preventing conflicts and strengthening the role of non-permanent, elected members. Vivian highlighted the increasing use of vetoes by the P5, suggesting that voluntary behavioural change was unlikely. He called for a broader UN membership agreement on future veto use, emphasising that Singapore is ready to discuss this further at the General Assembly.
Fulfilling the mandate
Vivian stressed that Singapore’s approach was not to encroach on the UNSC’s mandate but to prevent actions that hinder its effectiveness. He referred to the Pact for the Future and Article 99 of the UN Charter, which allows the UN Secretary-General to bring any matter threatening international peace to the UNSC’s attention. Vivian argued that the UNSC needed to respond more swiftly and concretely when Article 99 is invoked.
Small states bridge gaps
Vivian also called for a stronger role for the Elected 10 (E10) members of the UNSC, who serve two-year terms. He noted that the E10 often bridge gaps when the P5 are “mired in mutual distrust and paralysis.” He advocated for the E10 to have a greater say in decision-making and to lead or co-lead on key issues, especially those concerning their respective regions.
Small states
Maliki Osman engaged in several bilateral meetings, including with the foreign ministers of Oman and Madagascar. On 24 September, he spoke at the High-Level Ministerial Roundtable on “Strengthening Multilateralism by Upholding the UN Charter, the Role of Small States.” Maliki emphasised the importance of a rules-based multilateral system that allows small states to participate equally. He urged small states to be active in norm-setting and decision-making processes, highlighting Singapore’s involvement in various groups like the 64-member Small State Group and the Forum of Small States. He also mentioned the AI playbook for Small States, co-authored with Rwanda.
Related story
The United Nations High-Level Week will continue until the weekend, with Vivian Balakrishnan scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on Saturday, 28 September. This event marks a significant opportunity for Singapore to influence international policy and advocate for the interests of small states on the global stage.
