STATEMENT BY
MS. SARAH RUHAMA
SECOND SECRETARY
PERMANENT MISSION OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
ON AGENDA ITEM 90:
STRENGTHENING AND PROMOTING THE INTERNATIONAL TREATY FRAMEWORK
AT THE SIXTH COMMITTEE OF THE 75TH SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
NEW YORK, 19 OCTOBER 2020
Mr. Chair,
Malaysia thanks the Secretary-General for his report A/75/136. Malaysia reaffirms the importance of the registration and publication of treaties and international agreements towards promoting greater degree of transparency in the conduct of international relations. Malaysia also notes the invaluable role of the Secretary-General as the depository of multilateral treaties, and that of the Secretariat of the United Nations as a comprehensive source of treaties and international agreements for practical and research purposes.
2. Malaysia welcomes the timely review of the regulations giving effect to Article 102 of the Charter that would address the current shortcomings in treaty registration. We appreciate the amendments to Articles 5, 7, 9 and 13 to facilitate electronic submissions in view of adapting to the latest developments in treaty registration practice and advances in information technology.
3. Malaysia is of the view that the obligations of the depositaries as provided for under Article 1, paragraph 1 should be maintained. Malaysia supports the approach that the registration of treaties or international agreements by the depositary as per Article 1, paragraph 3 should be encouraged and not be made obligatory, in accordance with Article 77 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties 1969.
4. In conclusion, Malaysia has and will continue to fulfil its obligations in accordance with Article 102 (1) of the Charter of the United Nations, as well as Article 80 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.
Thank you.