PM Lawrence Wong’s Intervention at the Virtual Call hosted by France and the UK on Freedom of Navigation in the Strait of Hormuz

Thank you fellow leaders and colleagues. Thank you President Macron and Prime Minister Starmer for convening this timely initiative. I agree fully with the points that many of you have already said.

Singapore knows the current ceasefire is fragile, and we continue to urge all sides to work towards a durable and lasting resolution. 

As many have also said, the conflict cannot truly be behind us if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed or subject to arbitrary controls. The restoration of safe, predictable and unimpeded passage through the Strait of Hormuz must go hand in hand with efforts to end the war. 

The right of transit passage as enshrined in UNCLOS is critical. 

Allowing any party to illegally weaponise an international waterway would set a dangerous precedent. Other maritime chokepoints could be similarly targeted. Singapore feels this acutely because we sit along the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, among the world’s busiest maritime routes.

So we cannot afford to go down this path. If we were to do so, we will end up in a more disorderly and unstable world – one governed by coercion and force rather than rules. 

It’s really in the collective interest of everyone in the international community to uphold navigational rights and freedoms, and to ensure that critical sea lanes remain open, secure, and accessible to all.  

Singapore has consistently supported such efforts.

At yesterday’s UN General Assembly debate, Singapore delivered a statement on behalf of countries that played founding roles in the conclusion of UNCLOS. Singapore was also an early co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2817. At the International Maritime Organization Council, we supported last month’s declaration reaffirming navigational freedoms under international law. Likewise in our region of ASEAN, our Foreign Ministers have come together to affirm these principles. 

Singapore stands ready to do our part and work with partners to restore a free and open Strait of Hormuz, in accordance with international law. That means no tolls, no restrictions, and a return to the situation before the war.

We also call for the international community to support the shipping industry and ensure the safety of all seafarers. Finally, to deal with the economic impact, we agree with the call made just now – that countries should not impose any unnecessary restriction on the flows of trade, energy and critical supplies. Singapore has been working with like-minded countries in the region including Australia, New Zealand, and Brunei to strengthen supply chain resilience, and provide mutual support to one another. As a global trading hub and a major oil refining centre, this is Singapore’s position – it is clear and unequivocal. We continue to support free and open trade.