STATEMENT BY
MR. MOHD HAFIZ OTHMAN
MINISTER COUNSELLOR
PERMANENT MISSION OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
ON ITEM 128(a): STRENGTHENING OF THE UNITED NATIONS SYTEM
ADOPTION OF DRAFT RESOLUTION L.73 "INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION TO ADDRESS CHALLENGES FACED BY SEAFARERS AS A RESULT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC TO SUPPORT GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAINS"
AT THE PLENARY OF THE 75TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
NEW YORK, 1 DECEMBER 2020
Mr. President,
The recent COVID-19 pandemic has indeed taken its toll on everyone including seafarers and other marine personnel who risk their lives to ensure that global trade does not grind to a halt. The pandemic has also underscored the global interdependency of nations, and brought to the fore the importance of maritime transport as an essential sector for the continued delivery of critical supplies and global trade in times of crisis, recovery as well as normalcy.
2. In this context, Malaysia is pleased to co-sponsor draft resolution L.37 entitled “International cooperation to address challenges faced by seafarers as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic to support global supply”.
3. Malaysia is of the view that access to medical care as reflected in PP12, PP14 and also OP5 should be further enhanced in its scope. Malaysia, in this regard, would like to take this opportunity to urge Member States to take responsibility and share the burden to facilitate and treat seafarers who have shown symptoms of COVID-19 whilst on board before repatriating and returning them safely to their home countries.
4. Malaysia, as a maritime nation and a Council Member of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), stands behind seafarers and other frontliners in the maritime sector.
Thank you.