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 INTERVENTION BY

SECOND SECRETARY SHIVANAND SIVAMOHAN

PERMANENT MISSION OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS

NEW YORK

 

UNDER AGENDA ITEM 11(g)(i):

Other matters important for achieving the objectives and purpose of the Treaty, such as: Institutionalizing scientific and technical advice for the effective implementation of the Treaty

 

FIRST MEETING OF STATES PARTIES TO

THE TREATY ON THE PROHIBITION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS

VIENNA, AUSTRIA

23 JUNE 2022

 

Thank you, Mr. President.

 

Malaysia fully believes that the TPNW is legally sound, feasible to implement, and reflects the legal norm that nuclear weapons are categorically unacceptable. It is essential that efforts to achieve the objectives and purpose of the Treaty are firmly and accurately grounded in the latest scientific findings and technological developments. Institutionalising scientific and technical advice in the workings of the Treaty will help advance its effective implementation and strengthen the credibility of the process.

 

Mr. President,

 

2.     Malaysia notes that the Scientific Advisory Group may potentially be tasked to i) provide reports on the latest developments in relevant scientific and technical fields to the MSP and Review Conference of the TPNW ii) support capacity building through engagement with States Parties scientists, academia, and civil society organisations and iii) provide scientific and technical advice on matters related to the humanitarian consequences of and risks associated with nuclear weapons and related humanitarian response challenges. Noting the importance of these tasks, Malaysia believes that the SAG must then be expert-driven, impartial and independent, and that the members are considered and selected in an open and transparent process. These elements are crucial to ensure the competence and effectiveness of the Group, and the objective consideration of its input by all States Parties to the TPNW.  

 

3.     The establishment of a mechanism such as this is not new. Precedents include the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which is a subsidiary body tasked to render specialised advice in science and technology to the governing body and States Parties to the CWC. Taking cognisance of the experience of others, we would be able to adopt and adapt the best practices most suited to the requirements of the scientific advisory group so central to the success of the TPNW.

 

4.     We are heartened to see that there is already strong support and interest for the participation and membership in the Scientific Advisory Group. In this regard, Malaysia is also considering how we could contribute to the process, including the possibility of nominating candidates from our cadre of scientific experts. We look forward to fully engaging in the process of establishing the Scientific Advisory Group for the TPNW.

 

Thank you.