STATEMENT BY
H.E. AMBASSADOR WAN AZNAINIZAM YUSRI WAN ABDUL RASHID
ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA
GENERAL DEBATE OF THE FIRST COMMITTEE
79TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
NEW YORK, 9 OCTOBER 2024
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Madam Chair,
May I congratulate you and the Bureau on your election, and assure you of my delegation’s full support.
- Malaysia aligns itself with the statements delivered by Indonesia on behalf of the NAM, and by Lao PDR on behalf of ASEAN.
- Against a backdrop of searing conflicts and increased strains on the multilateral architecture, progress on disarmament remains a critical imperative. Rising geopolitical tensions remind us of the unacceptable risks posed by the very existence of nuclear weapons.
- In the recently adopted Pact for the Future, world leaders have recommitted to the goal of the total elimination of nuclear weapons. This assertion must be backed up by concrete action, and its urgency cannot be overstated.
- Regrettably, a select group of countries continues to rely on nuclear deterrence, purportedly necessary to safeguard their own security interests. What message does this send to the vast majority of States, who have solemnly undertaken never to pursue nuclear weapons? For how long must we live in the long shadow cast by these repulsive instruments of war and destruction?
- Malaysia is deeply concerned by qualitative and quantitative enhancements to nuclear arsenals, as well as the existence and expansion of so-called “nuclear sharing” arrangements. We unequivocally condemn any and all nuclear threats, whether explicit or implicit.
- The credibility and integrity of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) cannot be taken for granted, especially after two successive Review Conferences failed to produce a substantive Final Document. States Parties must redouble our efforts to ensure the Treaty is fit for purpose and remains the cornerstone of the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation architecture. The full and effective implementation of NPT obligations and commitments, particularly those of the Nuclear-Weapon States, is essential.
- Malaysia believes the current NPT review cycle should make progress on, inter alia, transparency and accountability vis-à-vis nuclear disarmament. Strong political will is required to overcome the deepening trust deficit which has afflicted the multilateral system.
Madam Chair,
- The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) represents a significant breakthrough in our collective endeavours to free the world from inherent danger of nuclear weapons. We welcome the recent ratification of the Treaty by Indonesia, Sierra Leone and Solomon Islands.
- As part of the TPNW inter-sessional process, Malaysia is pleased to co-chair, with New Zealand, the informal working group on Article 4 of the Treaty. Together with States Parties and partners, we will work in earnest to universalise the TPNW - a treaty underpinned by clear humanitarian, ethical and security rationales.
- Rising nuclear risks underscore the importance of strengthening existing nuclear-weapon-free zones and pursuing the establishment of new zones, including in the Middle East. The provision of legally binding negative security assurances is also vital to the security of States. With respect to the Protocol to the SEANWFZ Treaty, Malaysia looks forward to continued engagement with all Nuclear-Weapon States, and intensified efforts by all parties to resolve all outstanding issues in accordance with the objectives and principles of the Treaty.
- In addition, present circumstances demonstrate the relevance of the Advisory Opinion on the Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons, rendered by the ICJ nearly three decades ago. Malaysia will table our annual resolution on this item in the First Committee during the current session.
- Further, we reaffirm the need to bring the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) into force, and call on the remaining Annex 2 States to sign and ratify the Treaty without delay.
- In the Korean Peninsula, resumption of dialogue among the concerned parties is crucial to achieving complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearisation. Malaysia urges the DPRK to abide by its obligations under relevant UNSC resolutions and immediately cease its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.
Madam Chair,
- Malaysia condemns in the strongest terms the use of chemical weapons by anyone under any circumstances. We will continue to promote the effective implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), including as a member of the Executive Council of the OPCW for the term 2024-2026.
- Malaysia is also fully committed to the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), and is currently pursuing the enactment of our Biological Weapons Bill, in line with Article IV of the Convention.
- We are pleased that the Fourth Review Conference of the UN Programme of Action (UN PoA) on Small Arms and Light Weapons adopted an outcome document, and recognise the critical role of the PoA in preventing the illicit spread of these weapons.
- On the prevention of an arms race in outer space, Malaysia hopes that multilateral discourse will be advanced in an integrated manner. We should avoid duplicative processes which will not only strain the capacities of developing countries, but may also fragment evolving discussions on various issues. These considerations apply equally to the field of cyber security, where we should build on progress made by the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on ICT Security. Malaysia welcomes the consensus adoption of the OEWG’s Third Annual Progress Report.
Madam Chair,
- Rest assured that Malaysia will engage constructively with all delegations as we undertake the work of the First Committee, in the interest of peace, security and sustainable development for all.
Thank you.
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