EXPLANATION OF VOTE BEFORE THE VOTE
ON CLUSTER 3
BY REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA
FIRST COMMITTEE OF THE 76TH SESSION OF
THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
NEW YORK, 1 NOVEMBER 2021
Mr. Chair,
1. Malaysia will support and vote in favour of all draft resolutions on which the First Committee will take action under Cluster 3 on Outer Space (Disarmament Aspects), namely documents L.3, L.50, L.52, L.53 and L.60.
2. The current global geopolitics and security environment require concerted efforts by all parties to maintain outer space as a domain of peace and security.
3. Malaysia recognizes the significance of protecting outer space for our common interest as well as the prevention of an arms race in outer space. The outer space should exclusively be committed for peaceful purposes.
4. In our efforts to strengthen the peaceful uses of outer space, Malaysia continues to seek for opportunities to work and collaborate with other Member States and the international community within the international legal framework.
5. Our shared goal and interest are in preserving the peaceful nature of outer space.
6. The international community has benefited immensely from enhancements in the telecommunications and financial sectors which have been made possible by space-based technology.
7. Moving forward, activities in outer space should not remain the exclusive preserve of a small group of States. Malaysia encourages the strengthening of capacity-building programmes, with particular emphasis on developing countries, to ensure that outer space is, both in principle and in practice, a truly global commons which all States can avail themselves to.
8. Confidence-building measures play a critical role in preventing an arms race in outer space, and this is recognized by the international community through General Assembly Resolution 75/69.
9. On this note, all UN Member States should refrain from actions that are contrary to the objective of the peaceful use of outer space and of the prevention of an arms race in outer space, as well as to the relevant existing treaties.
10. As it is incumbent upon all States to ensure that the use and exploration of outer space are exclusively for peaceful purposes, the General Assembly must play a vital role in fostering continued dialogue on current issues and challenges in this field.
11. Malaysia looks forward to working closely with all Member States in strengthening the international framework for science, technology and outer space activities as well as safeguarding the peaceful uses of space for future generations.
Mr. Chair,
12. For the principles and reasons already stated, Malaysia will support and vote in favour of all draft resolutions on which the First Committee will take action under Cluster 3 on Outer Space (Disarmament Aspects), namely documents L.3, L.50, L.52, L.53 and L.60
I thank you Mr. Chair.
