MALAYSIA-LED INITIATIVE AT THE UNITED NATIONS

“STATEMENT OF SUPPORT TO THE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL’S APPEAL FOR A GLOBAL CEASEFIRE AMID THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC”

 

On 23 June 2020, Malaysia marked a significant milestone by garnering the support of 171 United Nations (UN) Member States, Non-Member Observer State and Observer on its initiative to launch a “Statement of Support to the UN Secretary-General’s Appeal for a Global Ceasefire amid the COVID-19 Pandemic”.

 

The Statement initiated by Malaysia in collaboration with cross-regional partners such as Bangladesh, Ecuador, Egypt, Jamaica, Japan, Oman, Senegal, Slovenia and Sweden, sends a clear message to the international community on the importance of shared solidarity and compassion to those who are severely affected by hostilities amid the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic around the world.

 

Malaysia took this initiative as it believes that the UN membership must speak with a unified voice and send a strong political message, one which reaffirms our collective support for an immediate cessation of hostilities in all corners of the world to allow the international community to effectively fight this deadly pandemic.

 

The Statement represents the moral commitment of 171 Governments to prevent or stop hostilities and to pursue a peaceful settlement of conflicts during the pandemic, and beyond. The Statement also aims to mobilise collective support for the appeal by the UN Secretary-General while underscoring the importance of multilateralism, the rule of law, diplomacy, and the pivotal role of women and youth in efforts to build sustainable peace.

 

 Although the Statement is not legally binding upon any country, it showcases Malaysia’s unwavering commitment and continued leadership on global peace and security issues, which coincides with the 75th anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter on 26 June.

 

 Malaysia is fully committed to multilateralism particularly in advancing efforts towards global peace, security, and prosperity, consistent with the principles and purposes of the UN Charter. Malaysia also recently led the Preparatory Committee for the 2020 Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and will continue to actively assume its role in the United Nations on various issues of importance for Malaysia specifically and the international community as a whole.

 

PUTRAJAYA

23 June 2020