UN General Assembly
2025

The International Court of Justice stood as the principal judicial organ of the UN, offering states a forum to settle disputes under the rule of law, peacefully. For small states, it was a world that operated on principles and international law, where might did not make right. The stability and predictability offered by this system allowed all countries to develop their economies, to leverage on one another's strengths and to accelerate development. There was unparalleled dissemination of technology, of ideas and intellectual property. Trade grew significantly and companies built global supply chains based on the principle of comparative advantage and efficiency. And Singapore is a tiny city-state in the heart of Southeast Asia, a small and open economy. We rode on these megatrends. And that's why in 60 years, the hardworking and disciplined people have built our per capita GDP from US$500 in 1965 to around US$85,000 today. This multilateral system, founded on international law, also helped us to manage the global commons.