Singapore
SINGAPORE NATIONAL STATEMENT, DELIVERED BY DR VIVIAN
BALAKRISHNAN, MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER
RESOURCES, AT THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT (RIO+20), RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL, ON 22 JUNE 2012
Mr Chairman,
Distinguished delegates,
Twenty years ago, member countries of the United Nations forged the
milestone Rio Declaration on Environment and Development and Agenda 21. This
Earth Summit was a historic moment for humanity and set out the key issues which
framed the global discussions in the ensuing years to preserve the environment for
future generations. Similarly, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development ten
years after Rio, we were able to agree on the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation.
2 Today, we gather here again to ensure that the good work produced will be
further strengthened in the face of new and emerging challenges. Agenda 21 and
the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation can only be as effective as the level of
political support they enjoy. We need to make every decision at Rio+20 count.
Mr Chairman,
3 While it is the right of every country to pursue economic and social
development, these efforts should be achieved in a balanced manner and with
prudence. The Rio+20 conference is a fitting occasion for the world to agree on
steps towards sustainable development, for the good of our peoples.
4 Singapore has long recognised the significance that sustainable development
plays in our national development. To us, a Green Economy is about developing
sustainably for the long term. We believe that the special needs and characteristics
of each country and region should be recognised, which is why there cannot be a
one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to the Green Economy. We have only 700
square kilometres in Singapore and we are bereft of natural resources. Singapore
faces strong competing demands for limited land for housing, drinking water,
recreation, industry, commerce and cultural activities. Right from the start, we took a
development plan that ensured that even as we grew our economy and population,
the environment would also be well taken care of. Today, Singapore is a clean and
green city, with our integrated urban planning approach, but this has required a
careful and judicious balance between economic and population growth, together
with environmental protection. We have made considerable efforts to identify,
understand and address the challenges such as resource constraints, changing
demographics and the growing demands on urban infrastructural services.
5 Singapore’s efforts at sustainable development have long been guided by
three key principles. The first is long-term integrated planning, which requires a
strategic and holistic perspective of our needs and circumstances; second, we adopt
a pragmatic and cost-effective mindset and we are prepared to incur short-term
costs in order to achieve the benefits of long-term goals; third, we rely on technology
so that we can respond to the challenges quickly and with improved capabilities.
Such an approach has served us well in many areas such as land-use planning,
pollution control, water management, waste management, energy efficiency, and
transport management.
6 Singapore fully supports the development of Sustainable Development Goals.
Singapore released our Sustainable Singapore Blueprint in 2009 and this sets out
our 2030 targets for sustainable development as well as the strategies to help us
achieve these targets. In addition, we are preparing a practical guide called the
Singapore Liveability Framework, which is scheduled for release at the World Cities
Summit in Singapore next month. This Framework captures the lessons and
principles of how Singapore developed as a highly liveable city with a very high
density. Though we were driven by our natural constraints, we think that our
development model can be used as a practical guide for helping to create other
liveable and sustainable cities in the context of sustainable development – this is
entirely keeping with our discussions here at Rio+20.
Mr Chairman,
7 To support the global sustainable development agenda, all our national
strategies must be coordinated and supported by a forward-thinking and effective
global governance regime. Rio+20 has laid the basis for an enhanced and
strengthened Institutional Framework on Sustainable Development. Singapore fully
supports common global efforts that are aimed at enhancing the work of the UN
bodies, particularly with respect to integration of the environment, economic and
social dimensions.
8 I take this opportunity to congratulate and thank the Brazilian government for
its excellent organisation and skilful leadership in achieving a consensus of this
outcome document. This has not been an easy task. But the text has succeeded in
setting out for us a clear agenda for action to ensure that the world pursues the path
of sustainable development.
9 It was with great flexibility in the spirit of unity and understanding that all our
countries came together to produce this outcome. We need to build on what has
been achieved at Rio+20 to continue working closely together on implementation
actions.
10 The UN and its bodies need to take on the mandates given to them to set
clear and visionary directions to guide all our countries on this long but certain path
towards sustainable development. On their part, all our countries should take the
opportunity to relook at their national policies and capabilities to take stock of how
they can work closely with the UN. And equally important, it is necessary for
countries to share with each other best practices and experiences in sustainable
development.
11 Allow me to conclude by assuring you that Singapore stands committed to
play our part to realise the aspirations we share in this milestone conference. It is up
to us, the Member States, and the people that we represent, to rally the necessary
political will to act for our collective good and to secure the well-being of our family
and our future generations.
12 Thank you very much.
. . . . .
.
BALAKRISHNAN, MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER
RESOURCES, AT THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT (RIO+20), RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL, ON 22 JUNE 2012
Mr Chairman,
Distinguished delegates,
Twenty years ago, member countries of the United Nations forged the
milestone Rio Declaration on Environment and Development and Agenda 21. This
Earth Summit was a historic moment for humanity and set out the key issues which
framed the global discussions in the ensuing years to preserve the environment for
future generations. Similarly, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development ten
years after Rio, we were able to agree on the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation.
2 Today, we gather here again to ensure that the good work produced will be
further strengthened in the face of new and emerging challenges. Agenda 21 and
the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation can only be as effective as the level of
political support they enjoy. We need to make every decision at Rio+20 count.
Mr Chairman,
3 While it is the right of every country to pursue economic and social
development, these efforts should be achieved in a balanced manner and with
prudence. The Rio+20 conference is a fitting occasion for the world to agree on
steps towards sustainable development, for the good of our peoples.
4 Singapore has long recognised the significance that sustainable development
plays in our national development. To us, a Green Economy is about developing
sustainably for the long term. We believe that the special needs and characteristics
of each country and region should be recognised, which is why there cannot be a
one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to the Green Economy. We have only 700
square kilometres in Singapore and we are bereft of natural resources. Singapore
faces strong competing demands for limited land for housing, drinking water,
recreation, industry, commerce and cultural activities. Right from the start, we took a
development plan that ensured that even as we grew our economy and population,
the environment would also be well taken care of. Today, Singapore is a clean and
green city, with our integrated urban planning approach, but this has required a
careful and judicious balance between economic and population growth, together
with environmental protection. We have made considerable efforts to identify,
understand and address the challenges such as resource constraints, changing
demographics and the growing demands on urban infrastructural services.
5 Singapore’s efforts at sustainable development have long been guided by
three key principles. The first is long-term integrated planning, which requires a
strategic and holistic perspective of our needs and circumstances; second, we adopt
a pragmatic and cost-effective mindset and we are prepared to incur short-term
costs in order to achieve the benefits of long-term goals; third, we rely on technology
so that we can respond to the challenges quickly and with improved capabilities.
Such an approach has served us well in many areas such as land-use planning,
pollution control, water management, waste management, energy efficiency, and
transport management.
6 Singapore fully supports the development of Sustainable Development Goals.
Singapore released our Sustainable Singapore Blueprint in 2009 and this sets out
our 2030 targets for sustainable development as well as the strategies to help us
achieve these targets. In addition, we are preparing a practical guide called the
Singapore Liveability Framework, which is scheduled for release at the World Cities
Summit in Singapore next month. This Framework captures the lessons and
principles of how Singapore developed as a highly liveable city with a very high
density. Though we were driven by our natural constraints, we think that our
development model can be used as a practical guide for helping to create other
liveable and sustainable cities in the context of sustainable development – this is
entirely keeping with our discussions here at Rio+20.
Mr Chairman,
7 To support the global sustainable development agenda, all our national
strategies must be coordinated and supported by a forward-thinking and effective
global governance regime. Rio+20 has laid the basis for an enhanced and
strengthened Institutional Framework on Sustainable Development. Singapore fully
supports common global efforts that are aimed at enhancing the work of the UN
bodies, particularly with respect to integration of the environment, economic and
social dimensions.
8 I take this opportunity to congratulate and thank the Brazilian government for
its excellent organisation and skilful leadership in achieving a consensus of this
outcome document. This has not been an easy task. But the text has succeeded in
setting out for us a clear agenda for action to ensure that the world pursues the path
of sustainable development.
9 It was with great flexibility in the spirit of unity and understanding that all our
countries came together to produce this outcome. We need to build on what has
been achieved at Rio+20 to continue working closely together on implementation
actions.
10 The UN and its bodies need to take on the mandates given to them to set
clear and visionary directions to guide all our countries on this long but certain path
towards sustainable development. On their part, all our countries should take the
opportunity to relook at their national policies and capabilities to take stock of how
they can work closely with the UN. And equally important, it is necessary for
countries to share with each other best practices and experiences in sustainable
development.
11 Allow me to conclude by assuring you that Singapore stands committed to
play our part to realise the aspirations we share in this milestone conference. It is up
to us, the Member States, and the people that we represent, to rally the necessary
political will to act for our collective good and to secure the well-being of our family
and our future generations.
12 Thank you very much.
. . . . .
.
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