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STATEMENT BY

REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO

THE UNITED NATIONS

 

 

Mr. Chairman,

 

Malaysia associates itself with the statement delivered by the Republic of Indonesia on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), as well as the statement by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for this cluster.

 

Mr. Chairman,                            

 

2.     Malaysia recognizes the significance of outer space and reaffirms the need for it to be committed exclusively for peaceful 

purposes. We recognise and commend the work of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) in promoting international cooperation on the peaceful use of outer space. We welcome the adoption of the preamble and 21 guidelines for the long-term sustainability of outer space activities during the 62^nd Session of COPUOS in June 2019.

 

3.     Malaysia further reaffirms the need to prevent the militarisation of outer space and keeping it free from all types of weapons. In this regard, we are honoured to be part of the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) established pursuant to GA Resolution 72/250 on this important issue. While we regret the failure of the GGE to reach a consensus on its final report, it is our hope that the substantive progress made by the GGE during its deliberations in August 2018 and March 2019 respectively could serve as a good basis for further negotiations towards adopting an international legally-binding instrument on preventing an arms race in outer space.

 

4.     As more States embark in the exploration of outer space, there is a need to ensure secure access to space, which is a crucial aspect of space security and a precursor to the 

sustainability of future space activities. It is also imperative that States refrain from any actions that would be detrimental towards space security.

 

Mr. Chairman,

 

5.     Malaysia remains committed to the implementation of international treaties governing the use of outer space that uphold the legal principles adopted by the UN General Assembly in its resolution 1962 (XVIII) of 1963. Following the endorsement of our 2030 National Space Policy in 2017, we have commenced the process of drafting our domestic outer space legislation, which would enable Malaysia to ratify and accede to the relevant international instruments, including the 1967 Outer Space Treaty.

 

6.     At the same time, the 2030 National Space Policy serves as a framework with regard to the way forward of Malaysia’s space sector. It clearly outlines our stance and goals in mastering the space sector as well as the actions and coordination required towards achieving this objective.

 

7.     Malaysia looks forward to working together with other Member States in developing our space capacity in this field, as 

well as in ensuring that this common realm we share remains exclusively for peaceful purposes.

 

I thank you.