STATEMENT : 14TH CONFERENCE ON FACILITATING THE ENTRY INTO FORCE OF THE COMPREHENSIVE NUCLEAR-TEST-BAN TREATY (ARTICLE XIV CONFERENCE)

STATEMENT BY

MR. SOFIAN AKMAL ABD KARIM

DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA

TO THE UNITED NATIONS

14^TH CONFERENCE ON FACILITATING THE ENTRY INTO FORCE OF THE

COMPREHENSIVE NUCLEAR-TEST-BAN TREATY

(ARTICLE XIV CONFERENCE)

Co-Presidents,

My delegation congratulates the Co-Presidents of this Conference - the Philippines and Sweden - on your appointment, and assures you of Malaysia’s full support.

2.      We reaffirm that the CTBT constitutes a vital instrument of the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime, and an indispensable step towards achieving a world free of nuclear weapons.

3.      Nearly three decades after the CTBT was opened for signature, its entry into force has yet to be realised and remains uncertain. Malaysia reiterates its call on the remaining Annex 2 States to sign and/or ratify the Treaty without any delay or preconditions. This is particularly important in light of the current global security environment and heightened geopolitical tensions.

4.      We must redouble our efforts to uphold the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation architecture, of which the CTBT is a fundamental component. Malaysia welcomes the ratification of the Treaty by Papua New Guinea in March 2024.

Co-Presidents,

5.      Malaysia remains deeply concerned about the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. We reiterate our call on the DPRK to fully comply with all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, immediately return to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), and resume full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).  

6.      My delegation commends the steady progress of the verification-related activities of the CTBTO Preparatory Commission, including the equipment replacement and recapitalisation across the International Monitoring System (IMS) network.

7.      In line with Malaysia’s longstanding commitment to fully implementing the CTBT, Malaysia hosts two key facilities under the framework of the Organisation - the Radionuclide Monitoring Station (RN42) in Cameron Highlands and the National Data Centre (MY-NDC) in Bangi. We look forward to strengthening cooperation with the CTBTO Preparatory Commission to advance the Treaty's objectives and support the continued development of its verification system.

8.      Let us ensure that the approaching 30^th anniversary of the Treaty’s opening for signature is marked by decisive progress towards realising the goal of a world free of nuclear weapons.

Thank you.