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STATEMENT BY

COLONEL SHAMSURI NOORDIN

DEFENCE ADVISER

PERMANENT MISSION OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS

 

AT THE THEMATIC DEBATE ON CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS

FIRST COMMITTEE OF THE 78TH SESSION OF THE

UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

 

NEW YORK, 23 OCTOBER 2023

 

 

Mr. Chairman,

 

Malaysia associates itself with the statement delivered by Indonesia on behalf of the NAM and the statement delivered by Cambodia on behalf of ASEAN.

 

2.     Sustained efforts to combat the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons are vital, particularly in times of heightened tension in the global security environment. As noted by the Secretary-General in his Agenda for Disarmament, “massive conventional arms build-ups are continuing unabated…especially in certain conflict-prone regions”.

 

3.     The full and effective implementation of the UN Programme of Action (UN PoA) on small arms and light weapons and its International Tracing Instrument (ITI) remains critical. In this regard, Malaysia welcomes the adoption of the final report of the Eighth Biennial Meeting of States (BMS8) in July 2022, and looks forward to the convening of the Fourth Review Conference in June 2024. Although the Programme of Action is not legally binding, it provides the international community with important guidelines and parameters in this field.

 

4.     Further, my delegation welcomes the agreement reached by the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on Conventional Ammunition, in June 2023, to recommend to the General Assembly the adoption of a Global Framework for Through-life Conventional Ammunition Management. We look forward to the adoption and implementation of this Global Framework, which is voluntary and contains relevant political commitments.

 

Mr. Chairman,

 

5.     As a Signatory State of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), Malaysia firmly believes that the ATT will provide additional impetus in strengthening national policies and regulations on conventional weapons, while recognising the legal right of States to use such weapons judiciously for security, self-defence, research and trade. Malaysia has participated in the annual Conferences of States Parties (CSPs) to the ATT since 2015, including, most recently, the 9th CSP held in Geneva in August 2023.

 

6.     Moreover, at the national level, Malaysia has laws such as the Strategic Trade Act, the Customs Act and the Arms Act in place, inter alia, to prevent illicit arms trade and irresponsible arms transfer. There are ongoing efforts aimed at harmonising existing national mechanisms and legislation with the provisions of the ATT.

 

7.     My delegation is also pleased to have endorsed the Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences arising from the use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA) in November 2022. This is an issue requiring concerted international action.

 

8.     In conclusion, Malaysia reaffirms its commitment to the effective control and reduction of conventional weapons, to mitigate the humanitarian consequences of their use and advance international peace and security.

 

Thank you.