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STATEMENT BY

H.E. MR. AHMAD FAISAL MUHAMAD

PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS

 

THEMATIC DEBATE ON NUCLEAR WEAPONS

AT THE FIRST COMMITTEE

78TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

 

NEW YORK, 13 OCTOBER 2023

 

 

Mr. Chair,

 

Malaysia aligns itself with the statements delivered by Indonesia on behalf of the NAM, and by Vietnam on behalf of ASEAN.

 

2.     In 1945, the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki made an indelible impact on the global consciousness, laying bare the death and suffering which are inextricably linked to the very existence of these horrific instruments of war and destruction.

 

3.     Today, the efforts of the international community to advance peace, security and sustainable development remain blighted by the unacceptable risks posed by nuclear weapons. No matter how sophisticated or measured they may appear, all military policies, concepts and doctrines featuring nuclear weapons rest fundamentally on the real threat that such weapons can and will be used, and thereby inflict catastrophic humanitarian and environmental consequences.

 

4.     As NPT States Parties navigate uncharted waters in the wake of two successive failures of Review Conferences to adopt a substantive outcome, arms control mechanisms are unravelling, while the modernisation of nuclear weapons and delivery systems proceeds apace. Further, the maintenance and expansion of nuclear sharing arrangements, predicated on notions of “deterrence”, is a cause for great concern.

 

5.     If the integrity and credibility of the NPT are to be preserved, the grand bargain underpinning the Treaty cannot remain a distant dream, constantly deferred by considerations of “strategic stability” which hold sway over the Nuclear-Weapon States.

 

6.     The first session of the Preparatory Committee for the 11th NPT Review Conference, held recently in Vienna, reflects the deep trust deficit which States Parties must overcome through diplomacy and dialogue.

 

7.     It is imperative that all NPT obligations and commitments, particularly those of the Nuclear-Weapon States relating to Article VI of the Treaty, are fully implemented. Pursuant to Action 21 of the 2010 Action Plan, the Nuclear-Weapon States should adopt a standard reporting form.

 

Mr. Chair,

 

8.     My delegation reaffirms that the total elimination of nuclear weapons is the only absolute guarantee against their use or threat of use. This realisation underpins our unwavering support for the TPNW.

 

9.     Malaysia is currently Co-Chair of the Informal Working Group on TPNW Universalization, with South Africa, and looks forward to the Second Meeting of States Parties to the TPNW later this year. We warmly welcome the signature of the Treaty by The Bahamas, and accession to the Treaty by Sri Lanka, on 19 September 2023.

 

10.     The promise and steady advance of the TPNW should provide additional impetus to move forward on other key elements of the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation architecture. This applies to the CTBT, which we urge the remaining Annex 2 States to sign and ratify without delay, so as to enable the Treaty’s entry into force.

 

11.     The CTBT has established a powerful norm against nuclear testing and is making an invaluable contribution to international peace and security, for the good of humanity. It is more important than ever that we reinforce this contribution.

 

12.     In our own region, Malaysia will work with fellow ASEAN Member States in continuously engaging all the Nuclear-Weapon States, and in intensifying the efforts of all parties to resolve all outstanding issues in accordance with the objectives and principles of the SEANWFZ Treaty.

 

13.     The Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on the Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons, rendered in July 1996, retains contemporary relevance. Malaysia welcomes support and cosponsorship for our annual First Committee resolution on follow-up to this seminal opinion.

 

14.     As regards the Korean Peninsula, the resumption of dialogue among concerned parties is key in achieving complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation.

 

15.     Malaysia also reiterates the importance of the restoration and continued implementation of the JCPOA.

 

Mr. Chair,

 

16.     Let us work with indomitable resolve to consign nuclear weapons to the annals of history, and realise the goal of a world free of nuclear weapons, for present and future generations.

 

Thank you.