STATEMENT BY
H.E. MR. AHMAD FAISAL MUHAMAD
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
AT THE AD-HOC COMMITTEE FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANNOUNCING VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS
TO THE UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST (UNRWA)
2 JUNE 2023
Mr. Chair,
Malaysia thanks Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini for his comprehensive update and commend his strong leadership of UNRWA.
Malaysia views the dire financial situation of UNRWA with great concern. We are particularly concerned on how it would affect the lives of millions of refugees in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly the women and children.
UNRWA performs the extremely vital role of providing education, healthcare, social services and emergency relief to the Palestinian refugees. Thus, it should receive the full support from the international community. Sadly, the bleak funding situation of UNRWA indicates otherwise. The serious predicament faced by UNWRA warrants our urgent attention and immediate action.
Mr. Chair,
Malaysia has continuously rendered its support to the Palestinian people, either in financial terms or in kind, channelled bilaterally or through multilateral institutions such as the UN, the OIC or Malaysia's Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). Malaysia has also offered various capacity-building assistance through the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP), including scholarships for Palestinian students.
Malaysia’s strong support to the work and mandate of UNRWA since its inception in 1978 is patently clear. We have provided financial contribution to the agency, consistently for many years. As pledged in 2021 during the International Ministerial Conference on UNRWA in Brussels, Malaysia is committed to a long-term contribution of USD1 million to be distributed in the span of five years. In support of predictable and sustainable funding for UNRWA, Malaysia is pleased to announce that our government has disbursed an amount of USD 200,000 for the financial period of 2023.
Mr. Chair,
Malaysia has always believed in a just and peaceful two-State solution, and support the establishment of a sovereign state of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. We reiterate our unwavering support towards the attainment of the inalienable right to self-determination of the Palestinian people, and their right to return to their homes and property.
While we continue to strive for the attainment of these goals, we need to ensure that the well-being of the Palestinian refugees is being protected. In this regard, UNRWA has been the one reliable and essential vehicle to provide for the Palestinian refugees. Malaysia therefore appeals to the international community, to do more to support UNWRA and continue to protect the Palestinian refugees. It is only the right thing to do.
I thank you.
