Singapore's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim emphasized at a UN debate that transit through international straits is a right under international law, not a privilege. He highlighted the strategic importance of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, which carry more oil than the closed Strait of Hormuz, warning that any erosion of transit rights could disrupt global navigation and economic stability.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim was speaking at a high-level debate at the United Nations on the safety and protection of waterways.
New: You can now listen to articles. Add CNA as a trusted source to help Google better understand and surface our content in search results. SINGAPORE: The freedom of passage in international waterways is a right and not a privilege, Singapore told the United Nations on Monday , as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz dragged on.
Speaking at a high-level UN debate on the safety and protection of waterways, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim said Singapore, as a small island nation, takes the position that any transit in straits used for international navigation “is a right under international law and not a discretionary privilege that can be paid for or negotiated”.
“Any erosion of international law in one region of the world inevitably sets a dangerous precedent for all others,” he said. The Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries about a fifth of global oil shipments, has been largely closed since the eruption of theMr Zhulkarnain said on Monday that the Straits of Malacca and Singapore carry about 23.2 million barrels of oil per day, exceeding the 20.9 million barrels per day that used to flow through the Strait of Hormuz, and that its narrowest point stretches only two nautical miles in width.
“Singapore takes a clear and categorical position ... The stakes are not theoretical ... If the right of transit passage is not upheld, international navigation in the straits could be completely disrupted,” he said.
"is not an abstract question of legal doctrine, but one with real implications for global economic security and international stability", said Mr Zhulkarnain, who is also Minister of State for Social and Family Development. “very wary” Mr Zhulkarnain on Monday highlighted existing cooperative efforts between Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia reflect the neighbours’ commitment to abide by international law, including UNCLOS, and to work together in consensus on the effective management of the straits.
“It is clear that we all stand to benefit from the safety and protection of critical waterways,” he said. “Singapore will continue to contribute to the efforts of the international community to uphold a free and open Strait of Hormuz, support the shipping industry, and ensure the safety of all seafarers. “Ultimately, we hope for a diplomatic solution to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East which will bring lasting peace and stability to our global commons.
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Freedom Of Passage International Law Strait Of Hormuz Straits Of Malacca And Singapore UN Debate
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