STATEMENT BY

H.E. AMBASSADOR AHMAD FAISAL MUHAMAD

PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS

 

AT THE TWENTY SECOND SESSION OF THE HIGH LEVEL COMMITTEE ON SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATION

 

27 MAY 2025, CONFERENCE ROOM 2

 

 

Mr. President,

 

Malaysia aligns itself with the statement delivered by Iraq on behalf of G77 and China.  At the outset, I would like to congratulate you as well as other members of the Bureau on your elections to this High-level Committee. Malaysia reaffirms its strong commitment to supporting the important work of the Committee.

 

Mr. President,

 

2.         South-South Cooperation remains a vital tool in addressing many global challenges.  It has been a core element of Malaysia’s development cooperation strategy for over four decades. Our flagship initiative, the Malaysia Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP), established in 1980, embodies our enduring commitment to sharing our development experience with countries of the Global South. The MTCP has benefited more than 38,000 participants from 144 countries. Its programmes cover critical areas such as health, education, public administration, sustainable agriculture, and green technologies.

 

3.         Complementing this, is our engagement in triangular cooperation, where we leverage the strengths of partnerships with donor countries and multilateral organizations to scale up impact. A prime example is the Third Country Training Programme (TCTP). Malaysia has implemented more than 150 TCTP courses in collaboration with institutions including the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ), African Rural Development Organisation (AARDO), and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA).These initiatives promote mutual learning, strengthen institutional capacities, and reflect the power of synergy in international development.

 

Mr. President,

 

4.         Recent shifts in global politics and economic dynamics have significantly contributed to a more favourable environment for advancing the goals and ideals of South-South Cooperation. These changes have opened new pathways for us to pursue sustainable economic growth, support nation-building efforts, and strengthen our collective self-reliance. While we acknowledge that North-South Cooperation continues to serve as a primary avenue for development partnerships, we must also celebrate the remarkable evolution of South-South Cooperation over the past few decades. It has not only broadened its reach but has also become a powerful mechanism for regional integration and an engine for innovative and collaborative solutions among developing nations.

 

5.         Malaysia has a heavy responsibility as the ASEAN Chair in 2025. We are at a critical juncture, as our region strives to withstand unprecedented global disruptions. As Chair, Malaysia places emphasis on inclusive growth, sustainable development, and digital connectivity, while enhancing ASEAN’s engagement in South-South and triangular cooperation both within and beyond our region. We believe ASEAN can serve as a regional anchor in global South-South cooperation.

 

 

 

Mr. President,

 

6.         The strength of South-South Cooperation lies not in the size of our economies, but in the strength of our commitment to mutual support. Malaysia reaffirms its dedication to deepening cooperation with all our partners and to advancing development that is led by the Global South, for the Global South.

 

I thank you.