The United Nations (UN) is an international organisation founded in 1945. The purposes of the UN are to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonising the actions of nations. The year 2020 marks a special anniversary for the UN: 75 years from the signing of the UN Charter in San Francisco. This stamp issue is released to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the UN.

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

Described as a constitution for the oceans, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) was adopted in 1982 after nine years of negotiations at the Third UN Conference on the Law of the Sea. Singapore played an active role in the negotiations and adoption of UNCLOS, with Ambassador-at-Large Tommy Koh serving as President of the Conference from 1981 to 1982.

Singapore Convention on Mediation

The Singapore Convention on Mediation, also known as the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation, is the first UN treaty to be named after Singapore. The entry into force of the Convention on 12 September 2020 marks a significant development in international commercial dispute resolution. Businesses around the world now have greater certainty in resolving cross-border disputes through mediation, as the Convention provides a more effective means for mediated outcomes to be enforced.

The 90¢ stamp features the Aranda Singapore Convention on Mediation, an orchid hybrid that was unveiled at the Singapore Convention Signing Ceremony and Conference in 2019 to commemorate the event. It is now widely associated with the Convention.

Peacekeeping missions supported by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and Singapore Police Forces (SPF)

Singapore has sent SAF and SPF officers to East Timor, and then Timor-Leste between 1999 and 2003, and then from 2006 and 2012, under the ambit of four UN peacekeeping missions. A total of 1283 SAF personnel were deployed across the years, in various roles as medical support, peacekeepers and staff elements, along with helicopters to provide air/sea lift support. SAF personnel were also deployed as Military Observers to ensure the restoration and maintenance of public security, and assisted the Timor-Leste government with security sector and justice sector reform, as well as capacity building.