Edwin Tong on 8-day visit to New York for International Law Week, ICJ elections

Minister for Law Edwin Tong is on an eight-day official visit to New York till Nov 4 as part of efforts to reaffirm Singapore's commitment to international law and strengthen legal partnerships, the Ministry of Law said on Wednesday (Oct 28).

Tong's visit coincides with the International Law Week and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) elections.

International Law Week is an annual series of high-level legal and diplomatic events that spotlights the vital role of international law in promoting peace, security, accountability and cooperation among states.

Singapore's leaders have often reiterated the importance of international law.

The law minister himself explained this at the fourth International Law Association Singapore Symposium on Oct 20: "(International law) establishes obligations that cannot simply be dismissed because one party is stronger or bigger than the other.

"It provides a basis on which smaller states can articulate their rights, defend their interests and work with others."

To this end, Tong was set to address at the International Law Week on Oct 28 to explain Singapore's position on the merits of an international rules-based order.

Ahead of the address, he reiterated in a statement to the media that Singapore advocates for an international order where sovereignty is respected, trade can flow and disputes can be resolved peacefully.

On Oct 29, the minister will deliver Singapore's statement at the UN General Assembly debate on the annual report of the ICJ.

"Both these engagements underscore Singapore’s support for the proper functioning of international law and the institutions that uphold it, amid heightened geopolitical tensions," MinLaw said.

Tong will also deliver a statement on behalf of the Oceans Four, comprising Fiji, Jamaica, Malta and Singapore, at the UN high-level open debate on the same day.

The debate will explore international cooperation to harness the benefits of emerging technologies for maritime security and address the risks they pose.

The minister is also expected to meet with other counterparts at the UN to discuss international developments and strengthen legal cooperation.

He will also meet US firms and Singapore lawyers based in New York to deepen professional ties and explore opportunities for collaboration with Singapore’s legal sector.

While in New York, the law minister will also attend the 2026 elections for ICJ judges at the UN on Nov 3.

Singapore's ambassador for international law Rena Lee is standing for election as an ICJ judge for the 2027 to 2036 term.

The international law practitioner has served at both the international and national levels, including as the Government's legal adviser, diplomat and international negotiator.

She is also a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

Said the law minister: "We must all play our part to sustain the rule of law, strengthen its application, and contribute to the institutions that uphold international law. Rena Lee’s candidature for the ICJ reflects Singapore’s deep commitment to this."

新加坡律政部周三（10月28日）表示，律政部长唐振辉正在纽约进行为期八天的正式访问，直至11月4日，此行旨在重申新加坡对国际法的承诺并加强法律伙伴关系。

童的访问恰逢国际法周和国际法院选举。

国际法周是一年一度的高级别法律和外交活动系列，旨在突出国际法在促进国家间和平、安全、问责和合作方面的重要作用。

新加坡领导人多次重申国际法的重要性。

新加坡律政部长本人在 10 月 20 日举行的第四届新加坡国际法协会研讨会上解释说：“（国际法）确立的义务不能仅仅因为一方比另一方更强大或更大就被忽视。

“它为小国阐明自身权利、捍卫自身利益以及与其他国家合作提供了基础。”

为此，童先生原定于 10 月 28 日在国际法周上发表讲话，阐述新加坡对以规则为基础的国际秩序的立场。

在发表讲话之前，他向媒体发表声明重申，新加坡倡导建立一个主权受到尊重、贸易畅通、争端能够和平解决的国际秩序。

10月29日，部长将在联合国大会关于国际法院年度报告的辩论中宣读新加坡的声明。

“在当前地缘政治紧张局势加剧的情况下，这两项举措都凸显了新加坡对国际法及其维护机构正常运作的支持，”新加坡律政部表示。

同一天，童还将代表斐济、牙买加、马耳他和新加坡组成的“海洋四国”在联合国高级别公开辩论中发表声明。

本次辩论将探讨如何通过国际合作，利用新兴技术为海上安全带来的好处，并应对其带来的风险。

预计这位部长还将与联合国其他对口官员会面，讨论国际形势发展并加强法律合作。

他还将会见美国公司和在纽约的新加坡律师，以加深专业联系，并探讨与新加坡法律界合作的机会。

在纽约期间，司法部长还将出席 11 月 3 日在联合国举行的 2026 年国际法院法官选举。

新加坡国际法大使雷娜·李将竞选国际法院法官，任期为 2027 年至 2036 年。

这位国际法从业者曾在国际和国家层面任职，包括担任政府法律顾问、外交官和国际谈判代表。

她同时也是常设仲裁法院的成员。

律政部长表示：“我们都必须尽自己的一份力量来维护法治，加强法治的实施，并为维护国际法的机构做出贡献。李丽娜竞选国际法院法官体现了新加坡对此的坚定承诺。”