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STATEMENT BY
MR. MOHD HAFIZ OTHMAN 
MINISTER COUNSELLOR, PERMANENT MISSION OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS

AT THE AD HOC WORKING GROUP ON THE REVITALIZATION OF THE WORK OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (AHWG): 
STRENGTHENING THE ACCOUNTABILITY, TRANSPARENCY, AND INSTITUTIONAL MEMORY OF THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

NEW YORK, 11 MARCH 2021

 

Co-Chairs,

Thank you for your continued leadership of the Working Group. Malaysia aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Permanent Representative of Algeria on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

2.   Malaysia wishes to reiterate its view that the Office of the PGA should be strengthened in such a manner that both human and financial resources are sufficient for the Office to execute its activities, as mandated by the UN Charter and relevant GA resolutions. In this connection, my delegation considers that the Office of the PGA should be funded adequately, predictably, and transparently from the UN budget.

3.   My delegation also supports the proposal for a reasonable number of additional permanent staff to support the Office with a view to strengthen the Office's institutional memory. At the same time, we call on Member States that are capable to do so to consider seconding their diplomats to the Office. Malaysia, in this regard, is pleased to place its diplomat at the Office to support the current President.

4.   Malaysia also calls for respect for equal geographical representation and gender balance within the Office of the PGA. We believe that diversity and inclusion in the Office of the PGA would mirror the General Assembly's representative character and in line with the ideals of multilateralism. The PGA will also benefit from a diverse and larger pool of ideas, talents, and perspectives.

Co-Chairs,

5.   Malaysia hopes that the current practice of regular meetings with the Security Council President, ECOSOC President, and the Secretary-General will continue to take place. We also hope that the readouts or Memos of the discussion between the PGA and other heads of the UN organ can also be shared with the wider UN membership. We also call on the Office to provide relevant summaries of the mandated events and, as required by the relevant resolutions, in a timely manner. We also commend the institutionalization of the PGA's handover report since the 70th Session of the GA and look forward to a continuation of the morning dialogues with the Permanent Missions.

6.   In closing, my delegation wishes to reaffirm our commitment to engage constructively in the revitalization process.

Thank you.