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STATEMENT BY

MR. SOFIAN AKMAL ABD. KARIM

DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE, PERMANENT MISSION OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS 

 

AT THE PLENARY MEETING OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL NEGOTIATIONS ON THE QUESTION OF EQUITABLE REPRESENTATION ON AND INCREASE IN THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL (IGN)

 

CLUSTER DEBATE ON THE VETO

 

21 JANUARY 2025, NEW YORK

 

 

Co-Chairs,

Malaysia thanks you for convening this debate on the use of the veto.  We would like to express our appreciation for the timeline and roadmap for the work of the IGN this year, as annexed to your letter of 19 December 2024.  Rest assured of Malaysia’s commitment to contributing constructively to our discussions during these sessions. 

Co-Chairs,

2.         During the 40^th and 41^st plenary meetings of the General Assembly in its seventy-ninth session under the agenda item “Use of the Veto,” we heard many delegations echoing concerns over the increased use of the veto by Security Council members and the growing paralysis in the Security Council, which has prevented action in relation to threats to international peace and security.  Malaysia is one of the many delegations voicing this concern, and we will continue to advocate for reform of the Security Council to ensure it can effectively address global challenges and uphold the principles of the UN Charter.   

 

 

Co-Chairs,

3.         Malaysia considers the use of the veto in the Security Council as anachronistic, undemocratic and contradicts the principle of sovereign equality of all member states.  We maintain the position that, ultimately, the veto must be abolished.

4.         Until such time as the veto is completely abolished, its use should be regulated, with a complete prohibition in cases of mass atrocity crimes, such as genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. 

5.         For the exercise of the veto to be more accountable and transparent, it should be exercised by at least two of the permanent members, and supported by three non-permanent members of the Security Council.  The decision should then be ratified by the General Assembly through a simple majority vote. 

Co-Chairs,

6.         Unrestrained use of the veto has allowed and will continue to allow certain member states to arbitrarily stand in the way of the collective will and wisdom of the general membership of the United Nations.  The Pact for the Future recognized that the question of the veto is a key element of Security Council reform. We must take urgent and comprehensive steps to address the imbalance created by the veto, in accordance with the principles and purposes outlined in the Charter, ensuring that the Council can function effectively and in the best interests of global peace and security.

I thank you.