ArchiveS ArchiveS

STATEMENT BY

 

NORDIANA ZIN ZAWAWI

PERMANENT MISSION OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS

AT THE

PLENARY MEETING OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

ON THE REPORT OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ON THE

WORK OF THE ORGANIZATION [ITEM 113]

 

 6 FEBRUARY 2023

 

 

Mr. President,

 

At the outset, please allow me to thank the President of the General Assembly for convening this meeting and the Secretary-General for the presentation of his priorities and report. Malaysia also wishes to align itself with the statement delivered by the representatives of ASEAN, and G77 and China.

 

            The priorities presented by the UN Secretary General further reaffirmed the importance of multilateralism in ensuring that our collective actions speak volume in pursuit of a better future. It reflected the UN’s centrality in the maintenance of international peace and security via its works. While a particular on-going war continues to dominate dialogues and discussions amongst international community, polarising even the work of the UN, the Secretary General has managed to identify other threats to peace and security that demand equally pressing attention and prioritisation.

 

Close and in our region, Malaysia calls on the international community to support on the close engagement between the UN Special Envoy to Myanmar with ASEAN, in effort to bring back peace and democracy to the country.  In the Middle East, Malaysia hopes that the same impetus could be given towards finding a just and peaceful solution to the Palestinian conflict. These are about a few that have been mentioned in the Secretary-General’s report that require our equal and urgent attention. It is important to recall that the UN was not established only to serve certain regions of the world. The UN was meant to serve all humanity, and we are far from living up to the ideals enshrined in the Charter.

 

The Secretary-General’s priorities also underscored the importance of the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda, particularly as economies recover post-pandemic. In this regard, Malaysia was pleased to have participated in the High Level Political Forum in 2021 to present our Voluntary National Review. Our priority is to continue building sustainable economic growth that is inclusive for everyone, and to ensure that no one is left behind. Moving towards 2030, our national development priorities will continue to be aligned and integrated to the SDGs.

 

Mr President,

 

Malaysia continues to attach great importance on the work of the UN in the area of disarmament. Malaysia had the honour to chair the Main Committee I on Disarmament at the Tenth Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) held in August last year. However, the inability of the Conference to adopt a substantive outcome is a strong reminder on the need to strengthen efforts towards nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Malaysia’s commitment towards nuclear disarmament is unwavering, and we stand ready to work closely with other partners to attain a world free of nuclear weapons.

 

            Malaysia reiterates our stance on the necessary reform of the UN to make it more inclusive, transparent, and accountable. This should be made further possible with adequate funding and resources allocated to the Secretariat, in order for it to discharge its responsibilities as mandated by Member States. Malaysia in the same vein is pleased to have paid in full and on time the UN's regular budget and its peacekeeping contributions.

 

Mr. President,

 

The United Nations and its bodies remain central and represent the kind of powerful unity Member States can achieve in addressing the challenges of today. Malaysia reiterates our support to its work, as well as that of the Secretary-General guided by the relevant mandates and the Charter of the United Nations.

 

Thank you.