Singapore and the United Nations

Posted by Simply Jean under Blogging, National History
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After a grueling 26-hour flight, I arrived at Newark Airport in New Jersey on an overseas stint to read music. It was going to be a three-month winter program in New York, but I ended up taking a flight to New Jersey because the flight was less expensive.

Nonetheless, it was the first time that I arrived at a country in the midst of a bitter winter. While waiting for the shuttle bus from the airport to the hotel, I was amused at how cold the people outside the airport seemed while I was still feeling nice and warm. This amusement turned to a painful realisation when I started to feel the chill as I lugged my heavy baggage to the shuttle bus some 100 meters away from the exit of the airport.

Halfway through the huffing and puffing of dragging my bags to the bus, a pair of hands appeared out of nowhere. No, it was not the seventh month (in Singapore, the seventh month is also known as the Hungry Ghost Festival where it was believed that ghosts put away for the last 11 months roam the streets freely and eat food that are offered to them by the believers), but a kind soul who probably sense the hopelessness in me.

As the shuttle service headed towards Manhattan, I found out he was there to visit his sister who was working at the United Nations (UN). Apparently, it was her last term at the UN as a Singapore representative. As we reflected on Singapore’s role in the UN, I became thankful for the company I had on that cold, wintery evening.

Many of us know that the UN is an international organisation that consists of members from every recognised country. Founded in 1945 after the World War II, it started out with 51 country members. The UN’s objective was to promote social progress, living standards and human rights, while being committed to maintaining international peace and security and developing good relations between amongst the different nations. Essentially, recognition as a member to the UN signals more than just a casual admission into an organisation. It also shows the recognition by other countries of the member as a sovereign nation.

This also explains why admission into the UN is viewed by most countries as an important process while establishing self-governance and gaining independence.

After Singapore gained independence from Federation of Malaya in 1965, S. Rajaratnam took up the portfolio of Minister for Foreign Affairs and went forth to establish new ties internationally. Rajaratman made efforts to strengthen existing friendships through overseas missions and memberships with international bodies such as the UN, Commonwealth and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

When Singapore was admitted into the UN on 21^st September 1965, she became the 117^th member. In the following month on the 15^th October 1965, Singapore also became the 22^nd member of the Commonwealth. Consequently, Singapore was officially put on the world map as an independent nation with its own government and constitution.

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LISTEN TO THIS: Dr Toh Chin Chye And S Rajaratnam’s Press Conference Before Singapore’s Goodwill Mission Departs From Nairobi Airport

Minister for Foreign Affairs S. Rajaratnam leaving Singapore for the United Nations Conference (MICA collection, Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore)

Deputy Prime Minister Dr Toh Chin Chye and Minister for Foreign Affairs S Rajaratnam held a press briefing in New York after attending a UN Security Council meeting in which Singapore was admitted as a member of the United Nations. Dr Toh gave a brief background statement while he and Mr Rajaratnam answered questions which included British military base in Singapore - the need for it, consequences if used for aggression, and Indonesia’s criticism of it. They addressed other political issues such as China’s admission to UN, their view on danger of China to independence of Southeast Asian countries, China’s attitude to Vietnam, China’s recognition of Singapore, Singapore’s relations with China and view of Vietcong. Other points discussed include - Singapore alignment with other Asian countries, diplomatic relations with other countries and ambassador to UN; economic issues - viability of Singapore’s economy, UN assistance for its economic development; and visit to African countries and Washington.

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Following Singapore’s admission into the UN, a non-stop Goodwill Mission to forge ties with 16 Afro-Asian countries was carried out between September and November that year. This was the first of many international interactions between Singapore and other nations. In fact, such open gestures also resulted in assistance from a number of foreign governments as well as the United Nations Development Program, which was aimed at producing industrial skills in the 1970s.

Besides receiving help from the United Nations, did you know that Singapore played a significant role in the organisation a few years back? Between 2001 and 2002, Singapore served in the UN Security Council.

In addition Singapore had also been participating in the UN’s peacekeeping missions in Kosovo, Kuwait and East Timor. The Republic also participated in the multinational force in Iraq and sent military equipment and personnel to assist in the humanitarian rescue and relief efforts in the United States after Hurricane Katrina. Besides military assistance, did you know that Singapore also established medical and dental assets for use by the Afghan people?

As I arrived at my destination, I felt proud that Singapore has established herself not only economically, but has also helped globally in many areas. Indeed, joining the United Nations was not just a step to put Singapore on the world map, but to give back what she could to the global community.

EDITOR’S NOTE::: This is the seventh in a series of blog posts to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Singapore’s journey to nationhood.

To read the other offerings in this special series, see: