¸é±ð³¾²¹°ù°ì²õÌýby H.E. Mr Peter Thomson, President of the 71st Session of the General Assembly, at Singapore Reception: 50th Anniversary of Membership of the United Nations
21 September 2016
Your Excellency Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore, Your Excellency Ambassador Burhanudeen Gafoor, [Your Excellency, Mr. Secretary-General – TBC], Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, good evening.
I am very happy to join members and friends of the Forum of Small States (FOSS), in celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Singapore’s membership to the United Nations.
Since joining the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ, Singapore has made an enormous contribution to the organisation.
It has been a consistent exponent of the multilateralism system; of the importance of collective action in addressing common challenges; of upholding international law; of pursuing peaceful options in settling disputes; of ensuring that the interests of small states are considered in global affairs; and of helping to shape the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ, so that it remains fit for purpose.
It has made an enormous contribution to the maintenance of international peace and security, contributing to peacekeeping missions across the world.
And – most importantly to me – Singapore has made a vital contribution to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – particularly in the areas of sustainable cities, and water and sanitation.
Since becoming Fiji’s Ambassador to the United Nations in 2010, I have had the privilege of seeing first-hand the professionalism, and unparalleled focus of Singaporean diplomats to finding solutions to bridge divergent views.
In fact, I have made it a practice when offering advice to junior diplomats that they carefully observe how Singaporean diplomats apply themselves to problem-solving and delivering outcomes.
Singaporean diplomats are masters of the diplomatic trade, and a true reflection of the Government’s motto: Integrity, Service, Excellence.
So once again, I congratulate Singapore on the 50th Anniversary of its membership of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ.
You are a proud example of the important contribution that small states can make to world affairs, and to bettering our shared future.
Thank you.