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STATEMENT BY

MR. LUTFI SHEIKH GHAZALI

LONG TERM DELEGATE TO THE 76^TH UNGA,

PERMANENT MISSION OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS

 

AT THE INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE SESSION WITH

WITH AMBASSADOR ZAMIR AKRAM

THE CHAIR RAPPORTEUR ON THE WORKING GROUP ON THE RIGHT TO DEVELOPMENT

 

14 OCTOBER 2021, NEW YORK

 

Thank you Mr. Chair.

 

Malaysia thanks Ambassador Zamir Akram for his participation in our discussion today.

 

2.     Malaysia strongly believes that the United Nations human rights system should continue efforts towards the full and effective implementation of the Right to Development.   In this context, Malaysia welcomes the Working Group’s successful deliberations at its 21^st Session earlier in May this year and look forward to participating in the forthcoming Session.

 

3.     In the national context, issues and challenges related to the right to development are dealt within the framework of our Malaysian Plan, a comprehensive outline of government development policies and strategies; also referred as the Malaysia 5 Year Plan. The current Twelfth Malaysia Plan (12MP) focuses on new drivers of the economy such as digital and green economies, with physical and digital infrastructure being built in cities and rural areas to ensure that Malaysia remains competitive globally. It also focuses on opportunities and assistance to enable Malaysia citizens to participate and benefit from economic growth and development. Focusing on inclusivity and the right to development, emphasis is given to the groups that are economically left behind, particularly among the bottom 40% households, to uplift their income, purchasing power and wellbeing, especially since this group is among those highly impacted by the pandemic. Under the Malaysia Plan, the standard of living and access to healthcare services improved, and so were the basic infrastructure and amenities.

Mr. Chair,

 

4.     Malaysia welcomes the inclusive and participatory approach of the Chair and support continued consultations with all stakeholders in the process of elaborating the draft legally binding instrument on the Right to Development. We continue to believe that a legally binding instrument on the Right to Development would further strengthen the efforts of Member States in chieving the Sustainable Development Goals

 

5.     While we are cognisant of the challenges and obstacles faced by the Working Group and remain concerned that it has yet to fulfil its mandate, we remain committed to the process as the operationalization of the right to development remains a priority for Malaysia.  We call on all States to continue participating actively in the process, in reviewing progress made in the implementation of the Right to Development and in the elaboration of the draft legally binding instrument.

 

Thank you, Mr. Chair.