STATEMENT : EXPLANATION OF POSITION; FOLLOWING THE FAILURE TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION OF THE SPECIAL THEME OF THE 58TH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON POP

EXPLANATION OF POSITION BY

NUR AZURA ABD KARIM

COUNSELLOR

PERMANENT MISSION OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS

FOLLOWING THE FAILURE TO ADOPT THE

RESOLUTION OF THE SPECIAL THEME OF THE

58TH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT

“ENSURING HEALTHY LIVES AND PROMOTING WELL-BEING FOR ALL AT ALL AGES”

Madam Chair,  

At the outset, Malaysia wishes to place on record our sincere appreciation to you and the co-facilitators of the resolution, Ms. Jessica Beatriz Orduz Duran of Colombia and Ms. Norma Abi Karam of Lebanon, for your dedicated leadership and tireless efforts in guiding the negotiation process. We acknowledge the complexity of the task and commend your commitment to bridging divergent positions of States in the text.

2. Malaysia reaffirms its strong commitment to the right to health, as enshrined in international human rights and development frameworks, including the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). The theme of this year’s resolution resonates deeply with Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to address evolving health challenges and advance the well-being of our population.

Madam Chair,

3. Malaysia deeply regrets that the Commission was unable to reach consensus and adopt a resolution this year. The draft text contained a number of vital elements aligned with Malaysia’s priorities, particularly references to the protection of maternal and child health, the promotion of international cooperation, and the strengthening of capacity-building in developing countries. While we respect your decision to withdraw the text in the interest of preserving the unity and integrity of the process, we remain concerned by the inability to move forward on these critical issues.

4. Malaysia sincerely hopes that this unfortunate outcome will serve as a catalyst for renewed commitment to dialogue, compromise, and consensus. We stand ready to work constructively with all Member States in future sessions to ensure that this Commission continues to serve as a platform for tangible progress on population and development issues. 

I thank you.