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EXPLANATION OF VOTE BEFORE THE VOTE

BY REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA

 

CLUSTER 1: NUCLEAR WEAPONS

FIRST COMMITTEE OF THE 77^TH SESSION OF

THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

 

NEW YORK, 28 OCTOBER 2022

 

 

1.      My delegation wishes to provide an explanation of vote on draft resolution L.61* entitled “Steps to Building a Common Roadmap towards a World Without Nuclear Weapons”.

 

2.      Malaysia thanks Japan for once again taking the initiative to table a draft resolution addressing the vital subject of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. We commend Japan for its open and extensive informal consultations. 

 

3.      However, my delegation is not in a position to support the draft resolution as a whole. We believe that the overall framing of the draft does not accord sufficient weight to nuclear disarmament, which remains a pressing imperative.

 

4.      Malaysia reaffirms that nothing less than the total elimination of nuclear weapons, and the assurance that they will never again be produced, will suffice as a guarantee against the catastrophic humanitarian consequences which would result from any use of such abhorrent weapons.     

 

5.      In our view, PP.3 of the present draft does not adequately reflect the nature of the NPT as the cornerstone of the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.

 

6.      We regret that PP.5 does not make reference to the consecutive failure of two NPT Review Conferences to adopt a substantive outcome, which is without precedent since the indefinite extension of the Treaty. The Treaty is arguably in a state of crisis, which, if not addressed urgently, may result in the erosion of its integrity and credibility. This reality must be acknowledged.

 

7.      As to PP.6, the phrase ‘by some nuclear-weapons States’ unduly circumscribes the scope of the ‘concern of non-nuclear weapon States’.

 

8.      PP.11 regrettably includes elements of conditionality in relation to nuclear disarmament. It also fails to highlight the particular responsibility of the Nuclear-Weapon States (NWS) to pursue nuclear disarmament.

 

9.      Malaysia welcomes the inclusion of PP.14 on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). However, this cannot be a panacea to remedy the imbalance in the text as a whole.

 

10.      We cannot support OP.1 as it fails to reflect the existential threat to humanity posed by the very existence of nuclear weapons, let alone any prospect of their use. Urging the NWS ‘to make every effort’ to prevent such use is wholly inadequate.

 

11.      Malaysia is deeply concerned by OP.2, which appears to render ‘all existing security assurances’, including legally binding negative security assurances, subject to ‘national statements’ of undefined nature and scope. This entails grave implications for all States which possess negative security assurances, more so for States without them. The solemn undertaking of negative security assurances cannot      be unilaterally cast aside by the NWS providing them.

 

12.      Given recent reports, we cannot support OP.4, which may be misleading in its reference to an ‘overall decreasing trend of the global stockpile of nuclear weapons’.

 

13.      Further, we are unable to vote in favour of OP.9, as it premises the integrity of the NPT on nuclear non-proliferation obligations, without any mention of nuclear disarmament.

 

14.      For these reasons, my delegation will abstain from voting on PP.3, PP.5, PP.6, PP.11, OP.1, OP.4 and OP.9. We will vote against OP.2.

 

15.      We fervently hope that Japan will duly consider the concerns expressed by Malaysia, as well as many other NNWS, in future consultations on this critical issue. 

 

Thank you.