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STATEMENT BY

COLONEL SHAMSURI NOORDIN

DEFENCE ADVISER

PERMANENT MISSION OF MALAYSIA TO

THE UNITED NATIONS

 

AT THE THEMATIC DEBATE ON CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS

FIRST COMMITTEE OF THE 77^TH SESSION OF THE

UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

 

NEW YORK, 20 OCTOBER 2022 

 

 

Mr. Chairman,

 

Malaysia associates itself with the statement delivered by the Republic of Indonesia on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the statement delivered by Cambodia on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

 

2.      In an increasingly polarised world and amidst ongoing conflict, the risks of proliferation of, and illicit trade in, conventional weapons remain of particular concern. While we must work relentlessly to eradicate all weapons of mass destruction, we should not lose sight of the devastating consequences caused by conventional weapons. The use of such weapons has led to an estimated 200,000 deaths each year around the globe.  Malaysia commends the UN Secretary-General for placing emphasis on the need for action in this field, including through his Agenda for Disarmament.

 

3.      Malaysia remains concerned over the illicit transfer, manufacturing and circulation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and their excessive accumulation and uncontrolled spread in many regions of the world. Malaysia strongly calls for the full, balanced and effective implementation of the UN Programme of Action (UN PoA) to prevent the illicit spread of these weapons. We welcome the adoption by consensus of the final report of the Eighth Biennial Meeting of States to Consider the Implementation of the UN PoA and Its International Tracing Instrument (BMS8).

 

4.      As a Signatory State of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), Malaysia reaffirms its commitment to the Treaty and its goal of preventing, combatting and eradicating the illicit trade in conventional arms.  Malaysia believes that the ATT will further solidify existing national policies on conventional weapons, while at the same time recognising the legal right of States to use arms sparingly for security, self-defence, research and trade.

 

5.      At the national level, Malaysia has put in place laws to effectively manage the circulation of conventional weapons and to prevent the diversion of arms to the illicit market. These include the Strategic Trade Act (STA) 2010, the Customs Act 1967 and the Arms Act 1960.

 

Mr. Chairman,                           

 

6.      The development and use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), particularly by non-state actors, presents particular challenges. We must exert greater efforts in combatting this threat.

 

7.      Malaysia also believes that more concerted efforts are required to address the issue of explosive weapons in populated areas (EWIPA). We commend Ireland for having led the consultative process towards conclusion of the Political Declaration on EWIPA in June this year, in line with the call of the UN Secretary-General. 

 

8.      In conclusion, Malaysia reaffirms its commitment to the control and reduction of conventional weapons, which are crucial in mitigating the humanitarian consequences of their use. 

 

I thank you.