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EXPLANATION OF VOTE BY

MR. NIZHAN FARAZ RIZAL

SECOND SECRETARY

PERMANENT MISSION OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS

 

BEFORE THE VOTE ON THE DRAFT RESOLUTION L.54

“SCOPE, MODALITIES, FORMAT AND ORGANISATION OF THE HIGH-LEVEL

MEETING ON PANDEMIC PREVENTION, PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE”

AND AMENDMENTS L.55 AND L.56

 

UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK, 24 FEBRUARY 2023

 

Thank you, Mr. President.

 

Malaysia takes the floor to deliver an Explanation of Vote on draft resolution L.54 entitled “Scope, modalities, format and organisation of the high-level meeting on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response”, and the draft amendments to be adopted and considered by this Assembly.

 

Mr. President,

 

2.      The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that our level of prevention, preparedness and response to health emergencies is severely lacking, and varies from one country to another. There is therefore an urgent need to boost the capacity of preventing, preparing and responding to such emergencies, in order for us to be well-prepared for the next pandemic. International cooperation is paramount in this regard, as well as in achieving equity in the field of health.

 

3.      Malaysia believes that the draft resolution presented by the co-facilitators is relatively balanced, and that its contents are reflective of the theme of the text. As such, we are perplexed that some delegations presented amendments to the draft resolution, which would upset the delicate balance struck. The proposal to delete Preambular Paragraph 11 is outright baffling, especially since it is taken verbatim from Decision SSA2(5) of the Second Special Session of the World Health Assembly, which was adopted by consensus and sponsored by more than 120 countries. We are extremely alarmed that language that was previously agreed upon is no longer acceptable to the proponents of the draft amendment. We firmly believe that the elements contained in 2 Preambular Paragraph 11 are essential in order to address gaps in preventing, preparing and responding to health emergencies, especially in developing countries.

 

4.      The argument for deleting Preambular Paragraph 11 on the basis that it touches on substance is ironic. There are other substantive issues incorporated in the draft resolution, some of which were introduced by the proponents of the draft amendment. This is regrettably another example of stonewalling the priorities of the developing world. It is imperative that resolutions adopted by this august body be reflective of realities on the ground and address real problems we face worldwide. It is for this reason that Malaysia voted against the amendment to delete Preambular Paragraph 11, as contained in document L.56.

 

Mr. President,

 

5.      Malaysia believes that multisectoral and multistakeholder cooperation is important, especially towards achieving equity in the field of health, and must not be subjected to undue limitations and constraints. We should remind ourselves that among the purposes of the United Nations, as outlined under Article 1, Paragraph 3 of its Charter, include, and I quote, “achieving international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion” unquote. We remain convinced that the formulation of Preambular Paragraph 14 as presented by the co-facilitators was more than sufficient and that the addition was unnecessary. It is concerning that this draft amendment is introduced to the text, subverting the negotiation process.

 

6.      Recognising the importance of this process, Malaysia will support the resolution as a whole. We sincerely hope that Member States can work together towards the high-level meeting on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, particularly on the negotiations of the political declaration.

 

I thank you, Mr. President.