Singapore minister urges renewed, reformed multilateralism to meet global crises

Vivian Balak Krishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore, told the United Nations General Assembly that the world is undergoing "a profound disruption" and that stronger, better-functioning multilateral institutions are needed to manage shared risks.

"Multilateralism offers a different bargain, one that is in every state's enlightened national interests," Krishnan said, arguing that shared rules provide predictability and constrain the capricious exercise of power. He said bilateral or regional arrangements can complement but not replace universal rules.

Krishnan outlined three priorities to make multilateralism "fit for purpose": consistent compliance with international law; strategic reform of institutions where necessary; and the collective creation of new rules and institutions for emerging technologies. He referenced the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as an example of successful multilateral law-making and called for both reform of existing bodies and pragmatic, flexible coalitions when consensus among all states is not possible.

The minister urged that reforms be ‘‘strategic, not merely fiscal,’’ and that they strengthen the equal standing of all members so the UN can deliver practical results. He also said smaller states must have a meaningful stake in decisions about new technologies and global governance.

Krishnan closed by saying that cooperation governed by rules is preferable to a world governed by raw power and that Singapore will continue to contribute to multilateral efforts where it can.