STATEMENT (1C) : FOR COMBINED CLUSTERS 5-7, 18 OCTOBER 2021

Mr. Chair,

1.     Malaysia aligns itself with the statements of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and ASEAN.

2.     Malaysia considers cybersecurity as one of its major national security challenges. The incorporation of cybersecurity into Malaysia’s digital initiatives is vital to support its goal to become a truly digital nation through the delivery of state-of-the-art cybersecurity solutions.

3.     With this in mind, Malaysia has launched the Cybersecurity Strategy (MCSS) 2020 – 2024 which outlines five strategic pillars as guiding principles to enhance its national cyber security management. The strategy covers a wide scope of areas in cyberspace from governance and legislation to R&D, education, and global collaboration. 

4.     Realising the risks of and importance to protect the Critical National Information Infrastructure, Malaysia has formulated the National Cyber Security Policy (NCSP) which comprises the network information systems of critical sectors of the country. 

5.     Malaysia underscores the importance of continued cooperation between countries to effectively address cyber security challenges, with the end goals of increasing our collective cyber resilience, enhancing national security and driving economic growth.

Mr. Chair,

6.     Malaysia firmly believes that nuclear-weapon-free zones (NWFZs) are essential in enhancing global and regional peace and security. These instruments strengthen the nuclear non-proliferation regime and promote the necessary conditions for regional development and stability.

7.     As a founding member of ASEAN and a State Party to the Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty, Malaysia underlines the significance of such zones and treaties in the pursuit of a nuclear weapon-free world.

8.     Malaysia strongly reaffirms the paramount importance of the SEANWFZ Treaty as the disarmament and non-proliferation instrument in the ASEAN region. 

9.     Therefore, we need to urgently resolve all outstanding issues in accordance with the objectives and principles of the SEANWFZ Treaty, pertaining to the signing and ratifying the Protocol of the Treaty at the earliest. This is in line with the aspirations of the ASEAN Leaders as enshrined in the ASEAN Political Security Community Blueprint 2025.

10.     To this end and as a way forward, ASEAN Member States should begin open and constructive dialogues with the Nuclear-Weapon-States to bridge their concerns and reservations, as annually agreed by the ASEAN Foreign Ministers.

11.     Malaysia believes that the establishment of the Middle East Weaponsof-Mass-Destruction-Free Zone (MEWMDFZ) will enhance global and regional peace and strengthen WMD non-proliferation among all countries of the region.

12.     In this regard, Malaysia welcomes the convening of the Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and other Weapons of Mass Destruction in November 2019 and hopes for more progress to be made during the Second Session of the Conference.

13.     Malaysia looks forward to the Fourth Conference of States Parties to Nuclear Weapon Free Zones and Mongolia, and its earliest convening at a date to be agreed upon. The Conference is vital in promoting coordination and convergence in the implementation of the provisions of the Nuclear Weapon Free Zone treaties, and in strengthening the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime.

Mr. Chair,

14.     Malaysia reaffirms the absolute validity of multilateral diplomacy as the only sustainable mechanism of addressing disarmament and international security issues. Malaysia reiterates the importance of strengthening the UN Disarmament Machinery including the UNGA First Committee, the Conference on Disarmament (CD) and the UN Disarmament Commission (UNDC).

15.     The First Committee is the realisation of the international community’s faith in multilateral approaches towards the goal of general and complete disarmament in maintaining peace and security at the national, regional and international levels.

16.     Malaysia reiterates that the CD needs to re-conquer its viability as the single multilateral disarmament negotiating forum of the international community.

17.     Malaysia reaffirms the relevance and importance of the UNDC as the sole specialised and deliberative body within the multilateral disarmament machinery. Malaysia expresses regret at the inability of the UNDC to hold its substantive sessions for three consecutive years from 2019 to 2021. We hope that the UNDC will be able to commence its work next year and make substantive recommendations on its agenda.  

18.     In closing, Malaysia strongly supports the existing disarmament machinery and remains committed to working with all Member States to strengthen the current framework of the machinery. 

I thank you.