Singapore makes case for multilateralism at UN General Assembly: 'Cooperation serves all of us':
Regardless of a country's size, a world governed by rules is infinitely better than one governed simply by the exercise of hard, crude power, said Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan.Making the case for multilateralism in Singapore's statement at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday (Sept 26), Dr Balakrishnan pointed out that even big powers will need partners to secure their long-term national interests.He noted that interstate relations have become increasingly dictated by raw power — where outcomes are determined on the basis of size, leverage and coercion — highlighting that this presents a "clear and present danger" for smaller states, including Singapore."But even the more powerful states would ultimately pay a price, because hard power, on its own, cannot secure supply chains, protect populations from pandemics, or stabilise a warming planet," the foreign minister said pointedly. Dr Balakrishnan went on to explain how bilateral and regional arrangements, while playing a complementary role to global frameworks, cannot replace shared rules that apply universally.