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INTERVENTION BY

 

H.E. MR. AHMAD FAISAL MUHAMAD

PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS

 

AT THE PREPARATORY MEETING OF THE

HIGH-LEVEL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR THE

PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF THE QUESTION OF PALESTINE

AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TWO-STATE SOLUTION

 

 

Thank you, Co-Chairs, for convening this preparatory meeting. We thank the co-chairs of the Working Groups for the updates and plans on their work. Malaysia is coordinating internally to identify actionable commitments and endeavours to submit written comments to the co-chairs of the Working Groups as soon as possible. In the interim, we wish to highlight some preliminary observations.

 

2. First, it is important to recognise that the root cause of the long-drawn Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory. As such, it is imperative that the High-Level International Conference address the rapid ending of the Israeli occupation and its immediate cessation of illegal settlements in Palestinian territory.

 

3. Second, the High-Level International Conference must address recognition of the State of Palestine as well as its full membership of the United Nations. Given its prominence, it would be imperative that the outcome document of the High-Level International Conference include, amongst others, a clear timeline on Palestine’s full membership to the United Nations. We would strongly encourage countries that have not formally recognised Palestine to do so, without further delay.

 

4. Third, the High-Level International Conference must unequivocally uphold international law, including international humanitarian law. It must also emphasise the full implementation of all relevant UN resolutions, as well as all decisions and authoritative opinions of UN judiciary bodies.

 

 

 

5. Fourth, it is imperative that the High-Level International Conference include commitments to continue to protect and support UNRWA and its vital role, until empowered Palestinian institutions are able to assume the indispensable services provided by the Agency, and a just solution to the question of Palestinian refugees, as outlined in General Assembly Resolution 194, is attained. Malaysia has been a regular contributor to UNRWA, and made additional contributions to the Agency since the outbreak of the ongoing war in Gaza. Malaysia will continue to support UNRWA.

 

6. Finally, the High-Level International Conference should also outline support to Palestine through capacity building and assistance programmes. We are pleased to hear pledges from other Member States in this regard, and take this opportunity to encourage further concrete pledges from countries in a position to offer such programmes.

 

7. We thank the co-chairs of the conference for the early indication of the organisation of work for the High-Level International Conference. We look forward to receiving further details, particularly the indicative full programme of the Conference, at the earliest opportunity.

 

8. In conclusion, co-chairs, please be assured that Malaysia will lend its unstinting support to your efforts, as well as that of the co-chairs of the Working Groups, towards a successful convening of this High-Level International Conference.

 

Thank you.