CONTRIBUTIONS TO INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS

Mr Simon S C Tay asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs (i) what are the amounts that Singapore grants as voluntary contributions to international organisations, in particular those within the UN structure; and (ii) if such amounts are in keeping with Singapore's economic development and international standing.

Prof. S. Jayakumar: Singapore makes voluntary contributions to ten International Organisations (IOs) which are of importance to us. Four of these IOs are in the UN system, and another three are Commonwealth-related organisations. In 1997, Singapore's contributions made by MFA to these organisations amounted to about $600,000. Of this amount, $450,000 was contributed to the IOs within the UN structure. Most of these contributions are annual payments of long-running programmes (seven out of the ten are long-term obligations) as opposed to ad hoc contributions.

In addition to our voluntary contributions to the UN, we have various obligations to other international bodies as well. For example, as a member of ASEAN, we will be contributing to the ASEAN Foundation. We have also made contributions to the International Committee of the Red Cross. Singapore is a small country. Our voluntary contributions to IOs are consistent with our stature as a small advanced developing economy and our international standing.