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STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR DR. AHMAD FAISAL MUHAMAD,

PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS

AT THE

INFORMAL PLENARY MEETING OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO COMMEMORATE THE 80^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNING OF THE UN CHARTER, NEW YORK, 26 JUNE 2025

 

 

Thank you, Mr. President.  It is an honour for Malaysia to address the General Assembly to mark this important occasion.

   

2.         80 years ago today, the world witnessed a landmark moment in history – the founding of the UN.  Representatives from 50 nations gathered in San Francisco to sign the UN Charter.  They are united in forming an international organization dedicated to the maintenance of international peace and security, to develop friendly relations among nations, promote economic development and social progress, and human rights. 

 

3.         Over the years, the UN has achieved much of what it was set up to do. In the past eight decades, the UN’s membership has grown from 50 to 193 member states today – a strong testament to its inclusivity and universality.  It has been instrumental in galvanising international cooperation and leading global efforts to tackle many universal challenges.  Most importantly, the world has been spared of the scourge of another world war.        

 

4.         Thus, the 80^th anniversary of the signing of the Charter is a poignant moment for reflection – not only on the organisation’s past achievements, but also on its future and on the survival of UN - led multilateralism. 

 

 

 

 

President,

 

5.         Today, the UN is facing unprecedented challenges, not only to its funding and operation, but also its credibility and continued relevance.

 

6.         The liquidity crisis that has been besetting the organisation can be avoided if all Member States comply with their obligations and settle their assessed contribution in full and on time.  It is ironic that the culprits are mainly big countries that should not have problems of paying up their due contributions, while the majority of Member States including a large number of developing countries have been diligently paying their dues.  The tragedy is that it is the developing countries that will be most affected by the liquidity crisis, as many development and humanitarian programmes are set to be or have already been curtailed because of lack of funds

 

6.         There is also a growing crisis of confidence.  While international laws and norms are founded on the principle of sovereign equality, its enforcement has been inconsistent and far from effective.  Arguably, some states seem to be more equal than others, and are not rarely held accountable even after numerous and repeated breaches of international law.  Such impunity undermines international law and has led to increasing scepticism and even distrust in the UN – led multilateral system.  

 

 

 

 

President,

 

7.         The UN Charter, in its preamble, reaffirms our faith in fundamental human rights.  Sadly, millions around the world continue to see their most basic human rights being denied and violated.  People around the world continue to be outraged by images of civilians – women, children, the elderly as well as humanitarian workers and media personnel, are deliberately being targeted in armed conflict; homes, schools and hospitals are being destroyed, and children are dying of hunger because starvation is being used as a method of warfare.  Amidst this deplorable condition, the UN continues to be inept and obstructed from playing its mandated role. 

 

President,

 

8.         We do not need to look for a miracle solution to the ongoing global challenges.  The UN Charter already exists.  Its aims and aspirations provide a clear and enduring framework for peace, prosperity, justice and human rights.  We need to return to the principles enshrined in the Charter and a genuine effort to fulfil the obligations it calls for.  By upholding the Charter, we can reaffirm our commitment to cooperation, and resolve conflict through dialogue.  We can ensure that the Charter once again stands as the unwavering pillar of multilateralism in an increasingly volatile world.