STATEMENT BY
AMBASSADOR DATO’ MAZLAN MUHAMMAD
PRESIDENT OF THE CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT
AT THE 2014 SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT
19 AUGUST 2014
Mr. Secretary General,
Excellencies and Distinguished Delegates,
It is an honour for me and my country to assume the Presidency of the Conference on Disarmament. It is a responsibility that we will shoulder to the best of our abilities. Allow me to take this opportunity to thank my predecessors in the P6 for their hard work and efforts in steering the work of the CD. Being the last President of the current session, my focus will be to negotiate and finalise the report of the CD to the UN General Assembly as entailed in Rule 43 and 44 of the Rules of Procedure.
2. Before I touch on my plans for the work that lies ahead, allow me to take a step back and share my delegation’s view on the status of the Conference on Disarmament and the various issues discussed here.
3. In 2004, Malaysia assumed the Presidency of the Conference for the first time since joining in 1999. Ten years on, we assume the Presidency again. Since we last assumed the Presidency, the world’s security climate has evolved. The world has embarked on a journey to ban land mines, cluster munitions and last year, adopted an Arms Trade Treaty. Ironically all these achievements were attained outside of the CD. The CD is in the same situation it was 10 years ago. While the world evolved, the CD is still rooted in a stalemate, where the only constant attribute is the absence of substantive work.
4. We join many other delegations in noting that the stalemate in the CD has continued for far too long. As exemplified by the ban on landmines and cluster munitions, the world did not wait for the CD and presumably, it shall not wait for progress to be made on other important disarmament issues as well. It is deeply disturbing to witness this situation continuing. The CD is not playing its role and the international community are right to express their concern on this matter.
5. As it stands, the CD’s role as the single multilateral disarmament negotiating forum of the international community continues to be a title, at best. The fate of the CD lies in the hands of us here in this magnificent chamber and history will judge us whether we succeed or fail. It would seem, from our standpoint, that the CD is held to ransom as delegations continue to insist on subjects which are clearly a red line for others.
6. While nuclear disarmament and the fissile material treaty remains to be the main focus, let us not forget that there are other issues which remain on the CD agenda and the importance of all of them being arranged into a proper programme of work. Malaysia recognises that there are different priorities with regards to the issues to be negotiated in the CD. However these priorities need to be rationalised over one another. The truth is they all could be negotiated at the same time in different working groups arranged for different time slots but generally in the same time frame. The important principle is that each issue be given equal time and emphasis and not made as pre-conditions for the consideration of the other.
7. Malaysia’s priority is nuclear disarmament because this weapon constitutes a clear and present danger to humanity and this planet. This is an evil weapons system that needs to be eliminated completely and comprehensively. The way to achieve it is to immediately start negotiations on a Nuclear Weapons Convention. Malaysia does not subscribe to the step-by-step method of achieving nuclear disarmament for it is an impossible process rendering complete and comprehensive nuclear disarmament an unachievable goal. We cannot see why a complete and comprehensive nuclear disarmament agreement cannot be achieved since we have in the past managed to eliminate a whole class of weapon systems through the biological and chemical weapon conventions. Nuclear weapons are just another class of weapon but it is a million times more destructive and therefore has a million more reasons for its elimination.
8. To find a way out of this impasse in 2013, the international community convened the Open Ended Working Group in Taking Forward Multilateral Nuclear Disarmament Negotiations. Again an initiative taken outside of the CD. The OEWG has provided a platform for open and honest discussions in realising the world free of nuclear weapons. It is however with much regret that several key delegations were absent from the OEWG. It was a lost opportunity for us to be engaged on this important matter.
Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,
9. Malaysia is encouraged by recent developments in the discussion on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons. We are pleased to have contributed to this effort since it first gained traction in 2012. Malaysia participated at the First and Second International Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons held in Norway and Mexico, and looks forward to participating in the next conference to be held in Austria. Hopefully these rounds of conferences would garner sufficient momentum and support to initiate a more substantive and successful initiative towards complete and comprehensive nuclear disarmament. Malaysia stands ready to support any initiative towards that goal. The humanitarian initiative proves that there is strong support for the total elimination of nuclear weapons among the international community. Our only regret is, it is taking place outside the realm of the CD.
10. Last September, dignitaries from over 70 countries, including the Prime Minister of Malaysia participated in the High Level Meeting on Nuclear Disarmament held in New York. The presence of our Prime Minister at the HLM signifies Malaysia’s utmost importance and priority on this specific issue. In this regard, Malaysia welcomes the resolution 68/32 adopted by the UN General Assembly on calling for the urgent commencement of negotiations in the CD, for the early conclusion of a comprehensive convention on nuclear weapons and the convening of a UN high-level international conference on nuclear disarmament by 2018. In this context Malaysia fully endorse the statement by the Group of 21 earlier this year in calling for the commencement of such negotiations by the CD.
11. On the working methods of the CD, it is important to note that a re-examination of the Rules of Procedure should not be focused solely on the consensus rule which is a major concern for many delegations. Rather, it should be an opportunity to explore ways and means to further improve the current method of work in the CD. In the past, delegations including my own have raised several key issues with regard to the current predicament of the CD. In this regard, we welcome the proposals made by the Acting Secretary General of the Conference on 20 May 2014 which could contribute towards the resumption of substantive work in the CD. Malaysia has provided our views on the different proposals and we look forward to further steps to be taken by the Conference on these matters.
Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates
12. Allow me to take this opportunity to comment on the involvement of the civil societies in the work of the CD. As I have highlighted in previous statements to the Conference, Malaysia values the contributions made by civil society in the field of disarmament. Our close collaboration with civil society had led to the submission of the Model Nuclear Weapons Convention as an official document during the 62nd Session of the UN General Assembly. Members of the civil society in disarmament should be viewed as a very committed group of people since their cause has received very little support from anyone unlike other areas. I do not believe that they involve themselves in this effort for personal gain but for the genuine concern of what this weaponry can do to us.
13. Civil society’s efforts are important in generating support for nuclear disarmament at the grassroots level, and their invaluable inputs would enrich the work of the CD and help to stimulate substantive discussions. Malaysia continues to hold the view that the CD should seize the opportunity to tap into their expertise, knowledge and insight which can contribute enormously to our work. It may just be the much needed impetus that the CD needs to move forward and fulfill the role it was created for. In this regard, we look forward to the convening of the informal CD-Civil Society Forum to be hosted by the Secretary-General of the Conference.
14. Before concluding, I would like to share with you my plans for the coming 4 weeks. In addition to the report of the CD to the UN General Assembly, I will also seek your consent in dealing with the report of the Informal Working Group with a mandate to produce a Programme of Work, as mandated by decision CD/1974. Yesterday, we had a fruitful discussion on the work of the IWG. Let me express my appreciation to the Co-Chair, Ambassador Gallegos of Ecuador and the Vice-Co-Chair, Ambassador Woolcott of Australia for their hard work and commitment this year. I am confident, that with the support and cooperation of all Member States, that we will be able to decide on how to treat this report in a meaningful way.
15. On the preparation of the report of the CD to the UN General Assembly, I am guided by past reports of the CD, in particular the 2013 report which provides guidance on where consensus can be reached. I am also guided by the Rules of Procedure which stipulates under Rule 45 on the content and substance of the report. I took note that a number of initiatives in the Conference this year have been conducted in past sessions. Therefore, I will be guided by past agreed language which in my view, would provide an excellent basis from where consensus can be reached.
16. You can be assured that my delegation will conduct the work of the Presidency in an open, transparent and inclusive manner. In this regard, I would like to inform that the first draft of the report shall be made available to you by Thursday, 21 August after which you will have time to submit your proposed amendments to the draft. It is my intention to hear your initial reaction and comments on the draft during the plenary session next Tuesday.
17. I plan to devote the third week of my Presidency on the drafting of the text in informal mode. Additional drafting sessions will be arranged as required, based on the progress of the negotiations. It is my sincere hope that we can conclude these negotiations at the earliest possible opportunity with a view to adopt the report at the final Plenary session of my Presidency. Let me also add that my door is always open and I welcome any comments and feedback from you in ensuring a smooth conduct of the work of the Conference.
18. I look forward to work with all delegations in the coming weeks and I am confident that with your cooperation and support, we will be able to conclude the work of the 2014 session of the Conference in an efficient and timely manner.
GENEVA
19 AUGUST 2014
