STATEMENT BY
MR. MOHD HAFIZ OTHMAN
MINISTER COUNSELLOR, PERMANENT MISSION OF MALAYSIA
AT THE SECURITY COUNCIL ARRIA FORMULA MEETING ON
“YOUTH, PEACE AND SECURITY: CAPITALISING ON INTERGENERATIONAL DIALOGUE TO BUILD AND SUSTAIN PEACE AND ENHANCE SOCIAL COHESION AT COMMUNITY LEVELS”
NEW YORK, 9 DECEMBER 2020
Mr. President,
Special thanks to your team and other co-hosts for organizing this meaningful conversation. Malaysia, in particular, attaches great importance to resolution 2250 and its implementation. Malaysia was on the Security Council in 2015 during the adoption of this landmark resolution, and we remain committed to support and promote the youth, peace, and security agenda in all relevant platforms.
2. While many speakers today spoke on the importance of inclusive participation and representation of young people in negotiations and decision-making during peace processes, Malaysia would like to highlight an equally important subject, namely, youth engagement in countering violent extremism efforts in order to build and sustain international peace and security.
3. Malaysia has always been firm in our stance that we could only end terrorism by tackling its root causes. We need to win the hearts and minds of the people, especially youth that are more vulnerable and have long been a target of radicalisation and recruitment by terrorists.
4. Through its Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism (SEARCCT) – of my Foreign Ministry, the Malaysian government has and will continue to conduct various engagement and outreach activities with youth - designed to encourage youth participation in countering violent extremism through talks, discussion, and table-top exercises on the subject.
5. We have run campaigns aimed to bring together and encourage youth currently enrolled in public and private tertiary education institutions to formulate creative, community-based solutions based on the theme 'Bringing Communities Closer Together.' Our public awareness programmes also include numerous engagements with youth called the "University Lecture Series" that have reached thousands of young people since 2011. This is aimed at creating 'mental firewalls' among undergraduates by listening to and speaking to them on the dangers of radicalization.
6. We also launched a media campaign called "Malaysian Voices Opposing Violent Extremism," which involved local influencers and celebrities producing a series of audio and video public service announcements targeting the youth.
7. At the same time, Malaysia strongly believes that it is critical to ensure young people’s meaningful and inclusive participation in the nation-building process covering political, economic, and societal spheres. Greater youth involvement in this process will give them a sense of recognition and belonging, especially on policy and matters that affect them.
Mr. President,
8. To summarise, youth has a critical role as agents of change and actors in preventing conflict and building peace, and in contributing to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals. Malaysia stands ready to share our knowledge and experience on this matter.
Thank you.