INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

SINGAPORE’S INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

United Nations (UN) Commonwealth Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

UN’s flag Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II heads Commonwealth

Hillary Clinton and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at an APEC meeting

UNITED NATIONS (UN)

Background information The UN was founded in 1945 after World War II to replace

the League of Nations, to stop wars between countries, and to provide a platform for dialogue.

Aims to facilitate cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace.

There are currently 192 member states, including nearly every sovereign state in the world.

UN General Assembly Hall

UN Security Council Chamber

UNITED NATIONS (UN) How did Singapore participate in the UN?

Singapore was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council at the 55th Session of the UN General Assembly on 10 October 2000.

It served in the UN Security Council for two years, from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2002.

Singapore was also President of the UN Security Council in the months of January 2001 and May 2002.

United Nations played a supporting role for the different agencies in UN, such as the UN Department for Political Affairs and the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, in their work in the region.

EXAMPLE: Singapore supported the UN secretary-general special envoy on Myanmar to promote nation reconciliation and a political solution for Myanmar following internal unrest in the country in September 2007

COMMONWEALTH

Background information The Modern Commonwealth is founded in 1949 with the

idea rooted all the way back in the 19th Century. It is not a political union but an intergovernmental

organisation of fifty-four independent member states which were part of the British Empire except for two states.

The Commonwealth is often described as a ‘family’ of nations which links people of different cultures, nations, races and economic levels to work together and learn from the experience.

COMMONWEALTH

How did Singapore participate in the Commonwealth? Singapore joined the Commonwealth in October 1965 after

gaining independence. In 1971, Singapore hosted the first Commonwealth Heads

of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and the Singapore Declaration forms the framework of the core values of The Commonwealth.

Singapore has also contributed to the work of the Commonwealth through the Singapore-Commonwealth Third Country Training Programme (TCTP) under the Singapore Cooperation Programme which offers training courses to Commonwealth members.

ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION (APEC)

Background information Founded in 1989 by 12 countries in the Asia-Pacific

Region [Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and the United States.]

Representative of the most economically dynamic regions in the world

Primary goal of APEC is to sustain economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

How did Singapore participate in APEC? Singapore was awarded the chairmanship to host the

APEC in 2009, marking the 20th anniversary of APEC. Prime Minister Lee Hsein Loong had chaired the 17th

APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting from 14 November to 15 November at the Istana. The year-long Chairmanship saw over 110 meetings held in Singapore, culminating in the Leaders' Summit in November 2009.

ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION (APEC)

BENEFITS OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

The UN was efficient in solving the conflict between Singapore and Malaysia over Pedra Branca .

Years of bilateral talks failed to resolve the matter and the parties agreed to seek the intervention of the UN court.

The Pedra Branca issue was brought to the UN court before it was resolved. (Effectiveness of international relations)

WHY IS IT MORE BENEFICIAL THAN THE OTHER FORMS OF DIPLOMACY?

International relations is the most important form of diplomacy as it promotes world peace by ensuring good relations among different countries. Law and order is also reinforced by the member states of the internation community.

How so?

WHY IS IT MORE BENEFICIAL THAN THE OTHER FORMS OF DIPLOMACY?Bilateral Relations -Regional Relations

-Promotes political, economic and cultural ties.

-Creates understanding among the different countries which reduces the likelihood of an eminent war upon differences in opinions.

-Help countries to maintain warm and friendly relations with one another despite occasional disputes.

-Represents the collective voice of 10 nations and strengthens the member countries’ position when negotiating with other countries.

WHY IS IT MORE BENEFICIAL THAN THE OTHER FORMS OF DIPLOMACY?Bilateral Relations Regional Relations

However, disputes over territories or control of resources may still result in a war due to the absence of international talks, creating misunderstandings between countries.

Furthermore, bilateral talks only helps countries to understand each other better and does not prevent weaker countries from being pushed around or ‘bullied’ by more powerful countries.

However, it does not have any standing army and cannot take action against member countries who disobey international laws.

Therefore, regional organizations such as ASEAN are often very slow in addressing issues. Countries can use it as a platform to discuss issues, but a common consensus is often not achieved in the shortest possible period of time due to the lack of power. This causes tension between countries to manifest and it affects the balance of peace in the region.

WHY IS IT MORE BENEFICIAL THAN THE OTHER FORMS OF DIPLOMACY? International relations create ties between

many countries throughout the world. E.g. United Nations (UN)

Promote world peace through an international treaty which states the rights and duties of all the members.

Covers all aspects of international relations Security Council, economic and social council,

general assembly and trusteeship council etc.

International Court of Justice and Secretariats Help countries to settle disputes peacefully and

implement the decisions made by the league If any country disobeys the international laws, the

UN can call upon their peacekeeping troops to invade the offending country

Helps the UN to effectively maintain global peace

BIBLIOGRAPHY Upper Secondary Social Studies 3, Panpac Education http://bbc.co.uk/ http://www.thecommonwealth.org/ http://en.wikipedia.org/ http://mfa.gov.sg/ Google images, http://www.google.com/

THANK YOU!