UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan underlined here on Saturday the need to strengthen the United Nations' role in promoting peace and security, particularly in preventive diplomacy, mediation and conflict prevention.

"Such efforts are urgently needed to save civilian lives and prevent catastrophes," he told the ongoing 79th session of the UN General Assembly.

Gravely concerned with the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, he emphasized the need for safe and unhindered provision of humanitarian aid to all civilians in need, calling for an immediate ceasefire and the immediate, unconditional, and safe release of all hostages.

The Singaporean minister also called for efforts to strengthen multilateralism. "We as a small state, have no interest in taking sides or getting embroiled in great power rivalry. We do not want to become an arena for proxy wars ... This is why small states like Singapore have always been ardent advocates for international law and the UN Charter," he said. "For small states, multilateralism is not an option but an existential necessity." Enditem

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