STATEMENT BY
H.E. MR. WAN AZNAINIZAM YUSRI WAN ABDUL RASHID
REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA
AT THE THEMATIC DEBATE ON CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS
FIRST COMMITTEE OF THE 79TH SESSION OF THE
UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
NEW YORK, 24 OCTOBER 2024
Madam Chair,
Malaysia associates itself with the statements delivered by Indonesia on behalf of the NAM, and by Cambodia on behalf of ASEAN.
- Intensifying conflicts and rising tensions in the international security environment underline the urgency of combatting the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. The UN Programme of Action (UN PoA) on Small Arms and Light Weapons and its International Tracing Instrument (ITI) play a vital role in this regard.
- Malaysia welcomes the adoption of the outcome document of the 4th Review Conference of the PoA by consensus last June. Continued capacity building efforts are needed on SALW control, including through the expeditious implementation of the standing dedicated fellowship training programme focused on developing countries. My delegation also looks forward to deliberations of the open-ended technical expert group on the opportunities and challenges vis-à-vis the manufacturing, technology and design of SALW, as well as international cooperation and assistance to strengthen national capacities in this field.
- In addition, Malaysia welcomes the 2023 adoption of the Global Framework on Through-Life Ammunition Management, setting out political commitments on the safety, security and sustainability of the management of conventional ammunition.
Madam Chair,
- As a signatory to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), Malaysia has participated in the Treaty’s annual Conference of States Parties since 2015. At the national level, Malaysia has enacted legislation aimed at preventing illicit arms trade and irresponsible arms transfer; these include the Strategic Trade Act, Customs Act and Arms Act. There are ongoing efforts to identify elements which may be aligned with the provisions of the ATT.
- Further, Malaysia supports and participates in regional initiatives under the ASEAN framework to boost Member States’ capacities in combatting the trafficking of arms.
- The evolving discourse on lethal autonomous weapons systems has also highlighted the urgency of addressing the legal, ethical, moral, humanitarian and technological issues relating to these systems, and their implications for international peace and security. Sustained dialogue is needed to ensure strict compliance with international law, in particular international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
- We also recognise the importance of strengthening the protection of civilians from the humanitarian consequences arising from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, having endorsed the Political Declaration on this matter in 2022.
- Malaysia will continue working with Member States and partners on the effective control of conventional weapons through relevant frameworks, while respecting the legitimate right of States to use such arms judiciously for security, self-defence, research and trade purposes.
Thank you.