STATEMENT BY
H.E. MR. WAN AZNAINIZAM YUSRI
WAN ABDUL RASHID
REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA
THEMATIC DEBATE ON OUTER SPACE
(DISARMAMENT ASPECTS)
FIRST COMMITTEE OF THE 79TH SESSION OF THE
UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
NEW YORK, 30 OCTOBER 2024
Madam Chair,
Malaysia associates itself with the statements by Indonesia on behalf of NAM and by Singapore on behalf of ASEAN.
- Preventing an arms race in outer space remains a critical objective, particularly in view of strains on the multilateral disarmament and security architecture. It is imperative that outer space is protected in the common interest of all States, and used exclusively for peaceful purposes.
- Malaysia is pleased that the Group of Governmental Experts on Further Measures to Prevent an Arms Race in Outer Space, established by UN General Assembly resolution 77/250, recently adopted its final report by consensus.
- In addition, we are appreciative of ongoing efforts to ensure focused, single-track discussions by the UN membership concerning outer space. This is important in preventing parallel processes, which would be especially challenging for developing countries and may lead to fragmentation of the substantive discourse in this field. Inclusive fora are needed to facilitate constructive dialogue and deepen collective understanding on long-standing and emerging space issues.
- Greater transparency and exchange of information are also needed in the outer space domain, with due consideration for States’ legitimate safety and security interests.
Madam Chair,
- Malaysia remains committed to joining international treaties governing the use of outer space that uphold the legal principles adopted by the UN General Assembly in its resolution 1962 (XVIII) of 1963. In this connection, in 2022 Malaysia endorsed its 2030 National Space Policy and gazetted the Malaysian Space Board Act. The Act is a significant step forward in Malaysia’s efforts towards ratifying the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, and acceding to the Registration Convention of 1975, by 2025.
- Further, we acknowledge the continued efforts of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), and their role in building the capacities of States, particularly from the developing world, in the peaceful use of outer space.
- Sustained multilateral action is required in preventing the militarisation of outer space, keeping it free from all types of weapons, and maintaining it as a common heritage of mankind.
Thank you.