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INTERVENTION BY

MR. AHMAD RADZI MOHD ZIM

LONG-TERM DELEGATE TO THE 77TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

PERMANENT MISSION OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS

DURING THE INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE WITH

AMBASSADOR ZAMIR AKRAM

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

THIRD COMMITTEE OF THE 77TH UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK, 17 OCTOBER 2022

 

Mr. Chair,

 

Malaysia thanks Ambassador Zamir Akram for his presentation to the Committee. Please be assured of Malaysia’s full support for your work.

 

2.       Malaysia firmly believes that the United Nations human rights system must exert all efforts towards the full and effective implementation of the Right to Development. We welcome the Working Group’s successful deliberations at its 23rd Session in May this year. We remain convinced that a legally-binding instrument on this issue will further strengthen the efforts of Member States in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. We call on all States to participate actively in the process.

 

Mr. Chair,

 

3.       For Malaysia, issues and challenges related to the right to development are dealt within the framework of the Malaysia Plan, a comprehensive outline of government development policies and strategies covering a span of five (5) years. The current Twelfth Malaysia Plan 2021-2025 focuses on new economic drivers 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 percent households, to uplift their income, purchasing power and wellbeing, especially since this group is among those highly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the implementation of the Malaysia Plans, we have improved the standard of living and access to healthcare services, as well as basic infrastructure and amenities.

 

Mr. Chair,

 

4.       Malaysia attaches importance to the Right to Development and remains committed to its operationalisation. Our question to the Chair-Rapporteur is, in view of the resistance from some States on the elaboration of a legally-binding instrument on the Right to Development, do you see that these differences can be reconciled and that the draft instrument can be finalised in the near future?

 

I thank you.