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GENERAL STATEMENT BY 

MS. NUR AZURA ABD KARIM 

COUNSELLOR, PERMANENT MISSION OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS 

FOLLOWING THE ADOPTION OF THE AGREED CONCLUSIONS OF THE 68TH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN 

WEDNESDAY, 27 MARCH 2024, CONFERENCE ROOM 4, UNHQ

Thank you, Mr Chair. 

Malaysia attaches great importance towards enhancing the roles and status of women in  society, upholding their rights and ensuring that those rights are continuously promoted.  We reaffirm the central role of the Commission on the Status of Women in addressing  challenges in achieving this important endeavour. As stated in our statement at the  general discussion, Malaysia remains resolute in our efforts to accelerate the  achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls including  by tackling poverty through targeted initiatives and strengthening financial mechanisms  through a gender perspective.  

With regard to the Agreed Conclusions, we appreciate the efforts of the Bureau,  particularly Ambassador Yoka Brandt of the Netherlands, in facilitating the process that  brought us to the adoption of the Agreed Conclusions. Her steadfast leadership,  composure, and positive attitude have made the negotiation process much more  bearable.  

We are fully aware that it was a challenging task given the diverse positions of Member  States on a number of issues contained in the agreed conclusions. Malaysia had  exercised flexibility throughout the negotiations, stressing only on issues that are  extremely problematic to us. Recognising the importance of the issue and the majority of  elements contained in the document, Malaysia joined consensus in the adoption of the  Agreed Conclusions. 

However, Malaysia notes that the term “multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination” is featured in paragraphs 12, (o), and (uuu) of the adopted text. In this regard, we wish to  put on record that Malaysia’s interpretation of the said term will be based on its national laws, values and customs, and does not include any concepts that are inconsistent with  the existing international human rights architecture.  

 

Mr. Chair, 

Malaysia wishes to state that the implementation of these Agreed Conclusions would be in line with the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which takes into account national and regional particularities and various historical, cultural and religious backgrounds, as well as national laws and that the formulation of strategies, policies, programmes and development priorities is the sovereign responsibility of States.  

We request that this statement be included in the official records of the meeting. I thank you.