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STATEMENT BY

MR. MOHD FAZLI ZAKARIA

DELEGATE OF MALAYSIA

 

AT MAIN COMMITTEE III

OF THE

TENTH REVIEW CONFERENCE OF THE

TREATY ON THE NON-PROLIFERATION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS

NEW YORK, 8 AUGUST 2022

 

 

Mr. Chairperson,

 

My delegation congratulates you on your appointment as Chair of Main Committee III of the Tenth NPT Review Conference. I can assure you of my delegation’s full support and cooperation in steering the work of this Committee.

 

2.      Malaysia associates itself with the statement delivered by Indonesia on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) States Parties to the NPT.

 

Mr. Chairperson,

 

3.      Malaysia considers the IAEA Technical Cooperation (TC) activities as being of great importance, particularly to developing States party in achieving the SDGs. The promotion of peaceful applications of atomic energy constitutes a fundamental element of the statutory activities of the IAEA. In this connection, it is pertinent that the IAEA's resources for TC activities be sufficient, assured and predictable to meet the objectives mandated in Article II of the IAEA Statute.

 

4.      TC programmes should continue to be developed in a professional, impartial and non-discriminatory manner. It is fundamental for the credibility of the IAEA that technical assistance and cooperation as stipulated in Article III C of the IAEA's Statute is not subject to any political, economic, military or other conditions incompatible with its provisions.

 

5.      Malaysia categorically rejects the notion of “non-proliferation of sensitive technologies”. The NPT is not discriminatory in providing access to peaceful nuclear technology as the “inalienable right” of parties “to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes” and the “the right to participate in the fullest possible exchange of equipment, materials and scientific and technological information for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy” are enshrined in Article IV of the Treaty. In this regard, Malaysia remains perplexed why the hold-out States have enjoyed such rights.

 

6.      On the assurances of fuel supply, Malaysia reiterates that concerns related to nuclear proliferation must not in any way restrict the inalienable right of all States to develop all aspects of nuclear science and technology for peaceful purposes. In this regard, any attempt aimed at discouraging States Parties in exercising this right on the grounds of the alleged "sensitivity" of the fuel cycle technology will not be acceptable to Malaysia.

 

7.      Malaysia stresses that any proposal for the assurance of nuclear fuel supply must be in accordance with the provisions of the Statute and that such supply must be made subject to the receiving State’s compliance to its non-proliferation commitments under the exclusive verification of the IAEA, as the sole designated safeguards verification agency for the NPT.

 

8.      Malaysia has always recognised the importance of regional cooperation and has participated actively in promoting effective and harmonised approaches to implement nuclear safety and security through the ASEAN Network of Regulatory Bodies on Atomic Energy (ASEANTOM), which includes the exchange of good practises and experiences.

 

9.      In this regard, ASEAN has signed the Practical Arrangements (PA) with the IAEA in 2019, setting out a framework for cooperation in the areas of nuclear science, technology, and applications to further promote ASEAN cooperation on nuclear safety and security. The signing of this framework marks a significant milestone in ASEAN-IAEA cooperation, laying the groundwork for both organisations to expand their work on existing as well as new projects in Southeast Asia.

 

10.      While there is an increase in the level of nuclear safety and security performance worldwide, we nevertheless must remain vigilant and continue to improve nuclear safety and security. Any nuclear or radiological incident could put lives at risk and harm the environment. Due to the transboundary nature of potential hazards, Malaysia calls for greater international cooperation in the handling of nuclear and radioactive material

 

I thank you, Mr. Chairperson.