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STATEMENT BY

HIS EXCELLENCY AMBASSADOR AHMAD FAISAL MUHAMAD,

PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS

 

AT THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ZERO WASTE

27 MARCH 2025, UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY HALL

 

 

Thank you, Mr. Moderator,

 

Malaysia commends the convening of this important meeting.  We wish to also express our appreciation to the First Lady of the Republic of Türkiye, Her Excellency Mrs Emine Erdoğan, for her presence and compelling speech.  

 

The focus of our event today, on “fashion and textile waste” is highly pertinent and timely. The fashion and textile industry is one of the largest contributors to global waste and pollution. Every year, millions of tons of clothing are discarded, contributing not only to overflowing landfills but also to the depletion of natural resources, toxic chemical contamination and the disruption of ecosystems.

 

Mr. Moderator,

 

Malaysia, as Chair of ASEAN this year, has chosen the theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability”.  We recognise that sustainability must be at the core of every aspect of our activities, including the clothes we wear. Our region’s growing economy and industrious textile and garment manufacturing sector, make it extremely vital to prioritise transitioning towards a circular economy, one that values the longevity and reuse of materials, rather than fostering a culture of disposability.

 

On 6th August last year, our Ministry of Housing and Local Government officially launched the Circular Economy Blueprint for Solid Waste in Malaysia (2025-2035). This blueprint is a comprehensive plan that lays the foundation for a sustainable and circular approach to waste management in our nation. Crafted through extensive consultations with key stakeholders, this blueprint sets clear directions for the transformation of our waste management systems over the next decade. The primary goal is to accelerate Malaysia’s transition to a circular economy, where waste is not just discarded but viewed as a valuable resource that can be reused, recycled, and repurposed.

 

Mr. Moderator,

 

As we celebrate the International Day on Zero Waste today, let us reaffirm our commitment towards achieving zero waste and the 2030 Agenda in its entirety. This critical goal requires our collective effort. Malaysia in this regard stands ready to work closely with other nations, businesses, and civil society to create solutions that promote sustainability, for a better future for all.

 

Thank you.