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STATEMENT BY

MS. NOR AIZAM AIZA ZAMRAN

ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS OF MALAYSIA

 

ON AGENDA ITEM 76:

UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME OF ASSISTANCE IN THE TEACHING, STUDY, DISSEMINATION AND WIDER APPRECIATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW

 

AT THE SIXTH COMMITTEE OF

THE 77TH SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

 

NEW YORK, 20 OCTOBER 2022

 

 

 

Mr. Chair,

 

Malaysia aligns itself with the statements delivered by the representatives of Pakistan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Kingdom of Cambodia on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, NAM, and ASEAN, respectively. 

 

2.       We thank the Secretary-General for his report (A/77/155) and commend the Office of the Legal Affairs, in particular the Codification Division and the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS), for their untiring efforts in implementing the various activities under the United Nations Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law (the Programme of Assistance).

 

3.       Malaysia strongly believes that an improved universal knowledge of international law plays an inherent role in assuring international peace and security and promoting friendly relations, and cooperation among states. The Programme of Assistance thus serves the very objectives and principles of the United Nations and the foundation of the current global order.

 

Mr. Chair,

 

4.       My delegation again commends the efforts of the Codification Division in exploring innovative means to continue pursuing the objectives of the Programme despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. My delegation is pleased to note that preparations are currently underway for the next regional courses to be held in person, and the selected participants could once again enjoy the irreplaceable in-depth exchanges and long-lasting bonds created with in-person training. Malaysia has greatly benefited from the regional courses held and will continue to support them by promoting the course and nominating participants for its future editions.

 

5.       We are further heartened to note that the alumni network of participants continues to benefit under the Programme of Assistance through various online interactive sessions. We are hopeful that the participant selected for the Hamilton Shirley Amerasinghe Memorial Fellowship on the Law of the Sea would be able to commence her fellowship in 2023.

 

6.       My delegation also commends the continued efforts by the Division to populate the Audiovisual Library with enriching lectures on core topics of international law, without neglecting the need to fully appreciate the linguistic diversity among the UN official languages. We are pleased to note that the Audiovisual Library has attracted millions of users across the globe, and significant efforts have been made by the Division to facilitate access to the lectures for users, especially those with limited high-speed Internet through the Library podcast.

 

7.       Malaysia continues to support the use of the UN regular budget, and when necessary, voluntary contributions, to finance the activities planned under the Programme of Assistance. We recognize and thank the generous contributions made by fellow Member States to the Programme, both monetary and in-kind, as well as the institutions that have also lent their support by providing training venues, library access and research support, as well as other operational support.

 

Mr. Chair,

 

8.       Malaysia wishes to thank the Division for the proposals and outline of the programmes planned for 2023. We note, among others, the proposal to redeploy one post from the Codification Division to the Office of the Under Secretary General for Legal Affairs, which my delegation understands is aimed at improving managerial oversight of the implementation and promotion of activities conducted by the Office of Legal Affairs, including those under the Programme of Assistance. We also note that the proposed programme budget for 2023 has been crafted for no less than 20 professionals from developing countries to attend each of the training programmes. We appreciate the Division’s efforts to increase the number of fellowships provided to meet, to the extent possible, the strong demand for international law training.

 

Mr. Chair

 

9.       My delegation continues to believe that the Programme of Assistance is important to our fundamental quest in instilling the rule of law in international relations, and promoting a rules-based multilateral system. Malaysia is further pleased to participate in the Advisory Committee, and will continue to support the Programme for the benefit of generations of legal practitioners, now and in the future. 

 

Thank you.