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STATEMENT BY

MR. AZRIL ABD. AZIZ

DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA

TO THE UNITED NATIONS

 

AT THE THEMATIC DEBATE ON

REGIONAL DISARMAMENT AND SECURITY  

FIRST COMMITTEE OF THE 77^TH SESSION OF THE

UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

 

NEW YORK, 25 OCTOBER 2022 

 

 

Mr. Chairman,

 

Malaysia aligns itself with the statements delivered by Indonesia on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and by Brunei Darussalam on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), respectively.

 

2.      In the steady advance of the international community towards a world without nuclear weapons, nuclear-weapon-free zones (NWFZs) play a vital role in preventing any threat or use of such odious tools of war and destruction.

 

3.      As the global disarmament and non-proliferation architecture confronts profound challenges, the NWFZs underpinned by the treaties of Tlatelolco, Rarotonga, Bangkok, and Pelindaba, and the Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty, as well as Mongolia’s Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Status, are essential in ensuring peace, security and sustainable development for all.

 

4.      The continued relevance of these zones was vividly demonstrated at both the 2022 Review Conferences of Parties to the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the First Meeting of States Parties of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). In both meetings, States Parties underlined NWFZs as critical elements in our collective endeavours to free the world from the long shadow cast by the continued possession of nuclear arsenals by a select few. The unprecedented failure of two consecutive NPT Review Conferences to adopt a substantive outcome further highlights the need for NWFZs, particularly amidst renewed geopolitical tensions, increased nuclear rhetoric, and strains on the multilateral system.

 

5.      In our own region, this year marks the 25^th anniversary of the entry into force of the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty, or the Bangkok Treaty. Malaysia believes that the full promise of SEANWFZ, and the ASEAN ideals it represents, cannot be realised until the Protocol to the Treaty is signed and ratified by the Nuclear-Weapon-States (NWS). The absence of legally binding negative security assurances from the NWS does not augur well for regional peace and security.

 

6.      Malaysia therefore reaffirms the imperative of intensifying the on-going efforts of the States Parties to the SEANWFZ Treaty and the NWS to resolve all outstanding issues, in accordance with the objectives and principles of the SEANWFZ Treaty, pertaining to the signing and ratifying of the Protocol to that Treaty at the earliest. Malaysia looks forward to continued dialogue between ASEAN and the NWS in this regard. A quarter-century is precious time which we have already lost, and progress cannot be deferred indefinitely. We will continue to work with fellow ASEAN Member States to maintain the integrity and credibility of SEANWFZ, in line with the aspirations of ASEAN Leaders.

 

Mr. Chairman,

 

7.      Malaysia fully supports the goal of a zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East. We reaffirm the need for the prompt establishment of a NWFZ in the Middle East in accordance with Security Council Resolution 487 (1981), paragraph 14 of Security Council Resolution 687 (1991), and relevant General Assembly resolutions adopted by consensus. Also, we must not lose sight of the 1995 NPT resolution on the Middle East, which remains fully valid, and the special responsibility of the co-sponsor States in its implementation.

 

8.      In line with General Assembly resolution 73/546, Malaysia welcomes the convening of the First Session of the Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons, under the Presidency of Jordan, in 2019, as well as the Second Session of the Conference, under the Presidency of Kuwait, in 2021.

 

Mr. Chairman,

 

9.      The regional dimension of disarmament and security issues across a range of areas warrants continued attention. We must redouble our efforts, and commit to urgent and resolute action to strengthen regional disarmament and security. Malaysia, together with our partners from Southeast Asia and beyond, will remain actively engaged in multilateral discourse and initiatives which are crucial in navigating the challenges at hand. 

 

Thank you.