STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN) By the permanent representative of malaysia,
AT THE RESUMED INFORMAL MEETING TO HEAR A BRIEFING FROM THE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL ON THE UN80 INITIATIVE
19 MAY 2025
Mr. President,
Thank you for resuming this meeting. Our appreciation to the Secretary-General for his briefing on 12 May.
2. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the ten member states of ASEAN.
3. ASEAN is proud of its cooperation with the UN, underpinned by the ASEAN-UN Comprehensive Partnership framework. Our collaboration reflects a shared commitment to addressing global and regional challenges, while advancing peace, prosperity, and sustainable development. ASEAN and the UN have made significant progress through this collaboration. We remain committed to further strengthening our Comprehensive Partnership guided by of the ASEAN-UN Plan of Action (2021-2025). We also look forward to the timely finalization and adoption of the successor Plan of Action (2026 - 2030).
4. ASEAN is supportive of reform measures aimed at making the UN more efficient, inclusive, and fit for purpose, in addressing present-day and future challenges. In this regard, the Secretary-General’s UN80 Initiative, is a timely and important step toward strengthening the UN system. ASEAN stands ready to engage constructively in its deliberation and implementation.
Mr. President,
5. Here, ASEAN would like to make the following preliminary observations:
First, any reform measures should enhance, not limit, the UN’s capacity to work collaboratively and transparently with Member States in strengthening multilateralism, upholding the primacy of the UN Charter, and promoting greater respect for and adherence to international law. Reform is not just about technical adjustments. It also requires changes in mindset, both within the Secretariat and among Member States. The reforms should also reinforce cooperation between regional organizations and the UN, recognizing their complementary roles in maintaining international peace and security, promoting human rights, and advancing sustainable development.
Second, ASEAN welcomes further details on the identified reform measures, along with continued consultations with Member States. Transparent and inclusive consultations are essential to achieving an outcome that all Member States can respect and uphold—an outcome that is crucial for successful implementation. As the Organisation seeks to make the UN more efficient, accountable and fit for purpose, we must continue to ensure that the UN can deliver results for all and accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Pact for the Future. This will only be possible if all Member States fulfil their financial obligations in full, on time, and without conditions.
Third, the UN80 Initiative should be approached in connection with the broader question of comprehensive UN reform, through ongoing processes such as the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the General Assembly and the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) on Security Council reform. In addition, the reform must also be synergized with broader multilateral institutions, including the IFA reform. Integrating the UN80 Initiative with these processes could serve as a credible step toward meaningful and sustainable reform of the Organisation. This approach would also help ensure coherence and avoid duplication. Also geographical balance and representation across the UN system must continue to be prioritized, through this integrated approach, in line with the principle of the sovereign equality of all Member States.
Mr. President,
6. The theme of Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN this year, is Inclusivity and Sustainability. ASEAN encourages the reflection of these principles throughout the UN80 Initiative reform process, with a view to fostering meaningful engagement of all Member States and supporting efforts toward sustainable reform of the Organisation.
I thank you.
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