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STATEMENT BY

H.E. AMBASSADOR IKRAM MOHAMMAD IBRAHIM

PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA

TO THE UNITED NATIONS IN VIENNA

 

GENERAL DEBATE

 

TENTH REVIEW CONFERENCE OF THE

TREATY ON THE NON-PROLIFERATION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS

NEW YORK, 3 AUGUST 2022

 

 

Mr. President,

 

My delegation congratulates you on your election as President of the Review Conference, and assures you of our cooperation and support.

 

2.      Malaysia associates itself with the statement made by Cambodia, on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and by Azerbaijan, on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.

 

3.      Fifty years have passed since the NPT was established. Yet, thousands of nuclear weapons continue to exist today. Nevertheless, we should remain resolute to chart the best path forward towards a nuclear weapon-free world. In this respect, all States Parties should fulfil their treaty obligations. We must demonstrate to the world that the global nuclear disarmament architecture and non-proliferation regime, with the NPT as its cornerstone, is relevant, resilient and continues to endure despite recent challenges.

 

4.      General and complete disarmament is the only guarantee against the catastrophic humanitarian consequences that will result from the use of nuclear weapons. Malaysia maintains a principled position on general and complete disarmament of weapons of mass destruction, and nuclear disarmament remains our highest priority.

 

5.      The three pillars of the NPT - nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and technology must be implemented in a full, objective and balanced manner. Regrettably, nuclear disarmament has not only been slow but seems to be regressing. The prospect of renewed nuclear arms competition and the threats of possible use of nuclear weapons are some of the more egregious signs of regression.

 

6.      Therefore, Malaysia calls on all concerned States to cease the development of new types of nuclear weapons, and prevent further advancement of such weapons. We reiterate the call to reduce the role and significance of nuclear weapons in all military and security doctrines and policies.

 

7.      My delegation reaffirms the need to implement commitments and undertakings agreed at the 1995, 2000 and 2010 Review Conferences. In particular, we recall the commitment by the Nuclear-Weapon States (NWS) to undertake further concrete efforts to reduce and ultimately eliminate nuclear weapons. We look forward to the NWS’ fulfilling their commitment to report to us on the steps that they are undertaking towards this end.

 

8.      Malaysia welcomes the coming into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons on 22 January 2021, and the subsequent convening of the First Meeting of States Parties to the TPNW from 21-23 June 2022 in Vienna, Austria. Malaysia remains convinced that the TPNW complements and strengthens the NPT, by constituting effective legal measures under Article VI of the NPT.

 

9.      Malaysia further supports the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones, especially where they do not currently exist. Such zones and the related provision of legally binding negative security assurances by the NWS are vital measures in augmenting the global disarmament and non-proliferation architecture.

 

10.      In this regard, Malaysia remains concerned with the growing risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East. Malaysia reaffirms the importance and validity of the 1995 resolution on the Middle East, and considers this resolution as an integral and essential part of the package of decisions reached that had enabled the indefinite extension of the NPT in 1995. Malaysia joins the call for the establishment of a nuclear-weapons-free zone in the Middle East region without delay

 

11.      In our own home region of Southeast Asia, Malaysia continues to underscore the urgency of resolving all issues pertaining to the signing and ratification of the Protocol to the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty at the earliest. Malaysia calls upon the Nuclear Weapon States to ratify the related protocols to all treaties establishing nuclear weapon-free zones, and respect the denuclearized status of these zones.

 

12.      Regarding the Korean Peninsula, Malaysia remains gravely concerned over the surge in ballistic missile testings and the possibility of a nuclear test by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). Malaysia reiterates that all efforts concerning the Korean Peninsula should be grounded on shared commitments towards the maintenance of international peace and security. The interests of the DPRK would be best served by its immediate return to the negotiating table, so that meaningful dialogue towards the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula may resume. Malaysia strongly urges the DPRK to refrain from further provocative and illegal acts, and to abide by its obligations under the relevant UNSC resolutions.

 

13.      On the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Malaysia notes with concern the serious challenges in its implementation to the extent of risking the unravelling of the agreement. My delegation continues to implore all relevant parties to spare no effort and to act now so that the JCPOA can return to full implementation.

 

14.      On the matter of peaceful uses of nuclear energy, Malaysia fully recognizes the central role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as the sole competent authority responsible for verification of the fulfilment of safeguard obligations assumed by States Parties under the NPT. The IAEA safeguards system plays a critical role under the NPT, strengthening commitments to nuclear non-proliferation and giving assurance that nuclear energy is only utilized for peaceful purposes. Malaysia has fully implemented the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and has demonstrated a strong track record of safeguards implementation since the agreement was signed.

 

15.      Article IV of the treaty on the inalienable right of States Parties to research, develop and use nuclear energy for non-weapons purposes should be fully implemented in an open, transparent and objective manner.

 

16.      Finally, while the NPT enjoys extensive membership, there are still States that insist on excluding themselves. We call on these States to join the fold at the soonest. We must continue to strive for the universality of the NPT.

 

17.      The days ahead will be challenging. The bottomline is – the world must be free from nuclear weapons. Malaysia stands ready to work closely with all States Parties towards this end.

 

I thank you, Mr. President.