STATEMENT BY
AMBASSADOR DR. AHMAD FAISAL MUHAMAD,
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA
AT THE
HIGH-LEVEL OPEN DEBATE OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL
ON “POVERTY, UNDERDEVELOPMENT AND CONFLICT: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY”
19 JUNE 2025, NEW YORK
President,
Thank you for convening this important debate. Thanks also to the briefers for their insights. Malaysia aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by Cameroon on behalf of the OIC.
President,
2. Less than five years before the deadline for the 2030 Agenda, its full realisation however appears to be increasingly elusive. Poverty remains entrenched, development gaps persist, and conflicts continue to cause death, destruction and deep suffering, in many parts of the world.
3. Let us be clear; poverty, underdevelopment, and conflict do not exist in isolation. They are deeply intertwined, mutually reinforcing, and if left unaddressed, will continue to erode the very foundations of international peace and security. Hence, achieving the 2030 Agenda is of utmost importance.
President,
4. The enduring lesson from decades of conflict is that peace cannot be sustained without development, and development cannot flourish without peace. When basic human needs are not met, when children die of malnutrition and inaccessible healthcare, when young people are denied education and opportunities, and when institutions are weak - grievances take root. Economic and social deprivation are fertile ground for radicalisation, extremism and instability.
5. As ASEAN Chair for the year, Malaysia will continue to strive for greater regional cooperation towards poverty eradication and development, in line with the ASEAN Community Vision of 2045, which places sustainable development at its core. We believe regional cooperation can contribute towards building resilience, fostering social cohesion, and addressing root causes of social discord.
6. Malaysia also underscores the need for enhanced financing for development, meaningful reform of the international financial architecture, and greater support for conflict-prone and poverty-stricken countries, in ensuring success of the SDGs. Towards this end, we must strengthen our collective political will and galvanise global action, particularly in view of prevailing strains on the multilateral system.
President,
7. As the United Nations approaches its 80th anniversary, we must ask ourselves: how can we continue to uphold and deliver on the Charter’s promise of peace and prosperity for all? The Security Council has a critical role to play, by among others, addressing structural issues contribute to unequal development and conflicts. The Council must support efforts that would produce more conducive environment for development. For instance, beyond troop deployment, peacekeeping operations and peace-building efforts should be equipped to foster inclusive governance, restore and spur local economies, as well as support education and livelihoods.
8. Malaysia calls for stronger integration between the Council’s peace and security agenda, and the development agenda across the UN system. Sustainable development must be integral to our discourse on conflict prevention and peaceful resolution.
President,
9. Malaysia stands ready to work with all Member States towards a more inclusive, peaceful and sustainable world - a legacy worthy of the UN’s 80th anniversary and beyond.
Thank you.