STATEMENT BY
MR. AZRIL ABD. AZIZ
DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO
THE UNITED NATIONS
PLENARY MEETING OF THE
UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
ON ITEM 89: REPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC AGENCY
NEW YORK, 9 NOVEMBER 2022
Mr. President,
Malaysia expresses its gratitude to the Director-General of the IAEA for the IAEA's 2021 report and his statement providing additional information on the Agency's main developments in 2022.
2. My delegation commends the Agency's activities in the various areas highlighted in the report, including resolutions adopted at the 66th General Conference in September of this year. We reaffirm our continued support for the IAEA's mandated role of promoting safe, secure, and peaceful uses of nuclear technology, as well as its role as the sole competent authority mandated to verify States' compliance with safeguards obligations.
3. We fully recognize the continuous support and cooperation provided by the Agency in a variety of fields, including nuclear science and technology. These have strengthened our efforts to ensure the peaceful uses of nuclear technology while also emphasizing the critical role of nuclear science, technology, and applications in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
4. The IAEA Technical Cooperation (TC) activities, in particular, are of great importance to developing Member States in achieving the SDGs. The promotion of peaceful applications of atomic energy constitutes a fundamental element of the statutory activities of the IAEA. In this connection, it is imperative that the IAEA's resources for TC activities are sufficient, assured and predictable to meet the objectives mandated in Article II of the IAEA Statute. TC programmes should continue to be developed in a professional, impartial and non-discriminatory manner, and should not be subjected to any political, economic, military or other conditions incompatible with the provisions of the IAEA.
5. In the area of nuclear safety, Malaysia sees value in the sharing of best practices among States. The nuclear safety standards developed by the IAEA help individual States discharge their primary responsibility for nuclear safety within their territory. As we strive towards achieving the highest level of safety, it is equally important that such efforts do not hamper the ability of Member States to access and develop the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and technology.
6. Malaysia further recognises the importance of ensuring the safety and security of civilian nuclear installations during armed conflict, so as to prevent the risk of any nuclear incident. In this regard, Malaysia supports the IAEA Director-General’s “seven indispensable pillars of nuclear safety and security”.
Mr. President,
7. Malaysia is committed to intensifying its role in, and contribution to, global peace, security, and development. We acknowledge that the Agency's assistance and cooperation have greatly enhanced our experience, knowledge, and capabilities in the areas of nuclear technology, nuclear safety and security and safeguards.
8. Malaysia welcomes the draft resolution A/77/L.9 on the report of the IAEA as it reaffirms the importance of supporting the Agency’s central role in the development and application of atomic energy for peaceful purposes. In this regard, Malaysia is pleased to co-sponsor the draft resolution, and reiterates its full commitment to and support for the Agency and its mandated activities.
Thank you.