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STATEMENT (1C) : THEMATIC DEBATE ON OTHER WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, 18 OCTOBER 2022
STATEMENT BY
MR. SHIVANAND SIVAMOHAN
SECOND SECRETARY
PERMANENT MISSION OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
AT THE THEMATIC DEBATE ON
OTHER WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION
FIRST COMMITTEE OF THE 77TH SESSION OF THE
UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
NEW YORK, 18 OCTOBER 2022
Mr. Chairman,
Malaysia aligns itself with the statements delivered by Indonesia on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and by Lao PDR on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), respectively.
2. Consistent with our position on general and complete disarmament, Malaysia continues to advocate for the total elimination of all weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), be they nuclear, chemical or biological. The dangers of WMDs cannot be overstated, and their very existence is a blight on the conscience of mankind.
3. The horrors inflicted by chemical weapons during the First World War, and their subsequent development and stockpiling during the Cold War era, tragically remind us of the excesses which nations are capable of committing when unconstrained by international law and basic dictates of humanity.
4. Having now been in force for a quarter-century, the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) retains its relevance as a landmark instrument proscribing an entire class of WMDs. While it is significant that over 99% of declared chemical weapons stockpiles have been destroyed under the verification of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), nothing less than total elimination will suffice if we are to ensure peace, security and sustainable development for all.
5. Malaysia condemns in the strongest possible terms the use of chemical weapons by any party under any circumstances. We are gravely concerned by the re-emergence of chemical weapons attacks, in blatant contravention of international law and the CWC in particular. It is imperative that those who resort to the use of these abhorrent weapons are brought to account. The world cannot afford the risk of any erosion of the integrity and credibility of the CWC, and the established international norm against the use of chemical weapons which the Convention codifies.
6. We recognise the OPCW as the sole organisation mandated to undertake investigations on chemical weapons use. In this regard, Malaysia urges all concerned parties to cooperate with the OPCW to ensure thorough and impartial investigation of all incidents.
7. Malaysia reiterates its call on developed countries to promote international cooperation through the transfer of technology, material and equipment for peaceful purposes in the chemical field. All discriminatory restrictions that are contrary to the spirit of the CWC should be removed.
Mr. Chairman,
8. Malaysia fully supports efforts to ensure the universalisation of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC). We believe that effective verification measures should be put in place to strengthen the implementation of the BWC as a key component of the global disarmament architecture.
9. My delegation remains ready to facilitate and participate in the exchange of equipment, materials and scientific and technological information for the use of biological agents and toxins for peaceful purposes, as provided for under Article X of the Convention.
10. Malaysia also looks forward to the convening of the Ninth Review Conference of the BWC in Geneva later this year.
11. In times of increased geopolitical tension and instability in the international security arena, let us strengthen our resolve to realise a world free of all WMDs. We must spare no effort to safeguard all nations and peoples from the unacceptable risks and humanitarian consequences which such weapons inherently carry.
I thank you.