ArchiveS ArchiveS

 

                       

STATEMENT BY

 H.E. SYED MOHAMAD HASRIN AIDID

PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA

 TO THE UNITED NATIONS

 

ON BEHALF OF THE MEMBER STATES OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN)

 

 AT THE JOINT DEBATE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

ON THE REVITALISATION OF THE WORK OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

[ITEM 122]

 

 

Mr. President,

 

I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

 

2.     At the outset, ASEAN would like to thank Ambassador Egriselda Lopez and Ambassador Michal Mlynar for their stewardship as Co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group (AHWG) on the revitalisation of the Work of the General Assembly during the 75th session. We also congratulate Ambassador Mitch Fifield and Ambassador Egriselda Lopez on their appointments as Co-Chairs of the AHWG for the 76th session. We look forward to productive discussions under the able leadership of the Co-Chairs, and wish to assure of ASEAN’s full support and cooperation to this end.

 

Mr. President,

 

3.     ASEAN welcomes GA resolution 75/325, which was adopted by consensus on 10 September 2021. We extend our appreciation to the previous Co-Chairs for their transparent and inclusive approach in conducting the negotiations last session. We commend the action-oriented resolution which makes progress on a range of revitalisation issues, including the working methods, biennialization of the revitalisation process, and improvisation of the selection and appointment of the Secretary-General and other executive heads.

 

4.     We also commend the decision of all Member States to agree on the adjustment of the opening date of the regular session of the General Assembly effective from the opening of the 78^th session - in order to allow more time for the incoming President of the General Assembly and his/her Office to prepare for the high-level week.

 

5.     We also welcome the decision for the Ad Hoc Working Group to have a more focused discussion on two clusters during this session and the remaining clusters in the 77^th session, with a view to building on the progress achieved in past sessions as well as on previous resolutions, including evaluating the status of their implementation. In this connection, ASEAN would like to highlight the following points regarding the two clusters slated for discussion in the AHWG this session.

 

6.     First, on the role and authority of the General Assembly. ASEAN reaffirms the fundamental role and credibility of the General Assembly as the most representative organ of the United Nations. We reiterate the importance for all Member States to preserve the character, primacy, and credibility of the General Assembly and to ensure that the organ remains fit for purpose. We also continue to call for greater synergy, coherence, and coordination between the work of the Assembly and other UN organs in accordance with their respective mandates.

 

7.     Second, on the working method of the General Assembly. We continue to call for the rationalization of the General Assembly’s agenda by addressing gaps, overlaps, and duplication, with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In this respect, we call for more regular and closer consultation among the Chairs of the Main Committees to address these conundrums. ASEAN also calls for Member States to consider innovative and practical measures to make Committees’ debates more focused and interactive.

 

8.     ASEAN also applauds the successful conclusion of the first transition workshop for the Offices of the President of the General Assembly in September this year – aimed at strengthening the institutional memory, preserving best practices and working methods and supporting the smooth transition between presidencies. We also commend a dedicated briefing by the previous Co-Chairs on the revitalisation process for the members of the Office of the PGA during the workshop.

 

Mr. President,

 

9.     The universal and inclusive features of the revitalisation process of the General Assembly provide a genuine scope for innovation. We have seen this from the good progress we made in the past session, but we also know that we can go further. Let me conclude by reaffirming ASEAN’s commitment to engage constructively with all delegations in this revitalisation process.

 

Thank you.