STATEMENT BY
MR. SOFIAN AKMAL ABD KARIM
DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE
PERMANENT MISSION OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
ON ITEM 121: QUESTION OF EQUITABLE REPRESENTATION ON AND
INCREASE IN THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL AND
OTHER MATTERS RELATED TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL
PLENARY MEETING OF THE 78TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
16 NOVEMBER 2023, NEW YORK
Thank you, Mr. President.
Please allow me to thank the Co-Chairs – Ambassador Tareq Albanai of Kuwait and Ambassador Alexander Marschik of Austria – for their commitment and leadership in steering the intergovernmental negotiations on UN Security Council reform (IGN) during the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Malaysia looks forward to continue our cooperation with the Co-Chairs throughout the 78th session.
Mr. President,
2. Malaysia welcomes the “Revised Co-Chairs Elements Paper on Convergences and Divergences on the question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and related matters”. My delegation wishes to highlight our views on the Elements Paper, as follows:
- First, we note that the Elements Paper presented a faithful reflection of Member States' positions, with a clear distinction between convergences and divergences. We believe that this approach provides clarity and serves as a useful guide for delegations to undertake negotiations next year. Malaysia also sees the Elements Paper as a cogent reference point which could be considered for subsequent discussions on the important subject of UN reform.
- Second, Malaysia notes that the Co-Chairs have invited think tanks, as well as held informal meeting with present and former Chairs of the Security Council Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions. We welcome these engagements. It adds value to our deliberation while maintaining the intergovernmental nature of this process.
- Third, Malaysia particularly supports the introduction of webcasting the IGN sessions. This is essential in promoting openness and transparency in the reform process; and
- Fourth, we also commend the strong emphasis on participation, transparency and accountability which we have seen throughout the process led by the Co-Chairs. Malaysia hopes that these important principles will be embraced by all delegations throughout our negotiations in the current session.
Mr. President,
3. The Security Council carries on its shoulder a most important responsibility namely the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Its decisions and omissions, successes and failures, reverberate beyond the walls of the Security Council Chamber. The carnage and humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza is an example of these omissions and failures. For more than a month, over 11,000 Palestinians have been killed. More than 4,600 children have been inhumanely murdered. Over a million Palestinians in Gaza have been displaced from their home. They are being denied food, water, shelter and their fundamental human rights. Regretfully, all these had to happen and continue to happen before the Council could act. This is why Malaysia joins other Member States in consistently calling for a reform of the Security Council. We want to ensure its members are able to effectively fulfil their role as custodians of international peace and security. We want to see a Security Council that could better respond to current and future challenges.
Mr. President,
4. Malaysia supports a comprehensive reform of the Security Council, both in terms of its working methods and the expansion of its membership. My delegation maintains our call for the veto to be regulated if not abolished because it is ineffective and undemocratic. We see the veto in its current form as an obstacle to greater accountability and transparency in how the Security Council conduct its business. It is morally indefensible for one Permanent Member of the Security Council to overrule the wishes of the overwhelming majority of Member States. Unfortunately, we see this time and time again.
5. We support an equitable and fair regional representation in a reformed Security Council. The world has changed since 1945 when the United Nations was formed and the Charter was signed. There were 51 member states of the United Nations at the time, while currently there are 193. The Security Council should be more representative if it is to remain effective, legitimate and relevant in the future.
Mr. President,
6. Malaysia’s approach to the reform process has always been pragmatic and objective. We have been consistent in advocating for an inclusive and transparent reform process, one which is guided by consultation and dialogue among Member States. We remain convinced that a reformed Council shall enjoy the widest possible acceptance among Member States.
7. Reforming the Council today will leave a consequential impact on the future generations. There are voices demanding an effective and efficient Security Council to better respond to the needs of today’s world. In this regard, we urge all Member States to demonstrate openness, flexibility, and greater political will to work towards a mutually acceptable conclusion in the interest of international peace, security, and prosperity. Let me conclude by assuring you of Malaysia’s commitment to moving this process forward.
I thank you.
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