INTERVENTION BY
MR. MUHAMMAD MUHAIMIN RASIDI
LONG-TERM DELEGATE OF MALAYSIA
TO THE 75TH SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE UNITED NATIONS
AT THE INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE WITH THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE ISSUE OF HUMAN RIGHTS OBLIGATIONS RELATING TO THE ENJOYMENT OF A SAFE, CLEAN, HEALTHY AND SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT
NEW YORK, 27 OCTOBER 2020
Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair.
Malaysia thanks the Special Rapporteur and commends him for the comprehensive report. The report illustrates good practices across the globe in implementing the human right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment. Malaysia will further study the recommendations contained in the report.
2. The question that I have is; while the goal of effectively integrating human rights principles in conservation is widely embraced, how, in the SR’s view, do we best realize this integration?
3. Global efforts must be further strengthened to conserve, protect and restore ecosystems and biodiversity. Protecting the environment contributes to the fulfilment of human rights and likewise, protecting human rights contributes to safeguarding the environment. This pertinent interlinkage must be recognised by States especially in their laws and national policies.
4. Malaysia has been doing its part to protect the environment and its rich biodiversity. Protection of the environment is provided-for and duly recognised in relevant Malaysian laws and policies, some of which have been mentioned in the Special Rapporteur’s report.
5. Malaysia’s National Policy on Biodiversity (2016-2025) for example contains clear targets, actions as well as timebound implementation strategies. It encourages the active participation of various stakeholders, including state governments and non-governmental organisations. The policy also ensures that poaching, illegal harvesting and illegal trade of wildlife, fish and plants are affectively addressed and forests, agriculture production and fisheries are managed and harvested sustainably.
6. In moving forward, the Government will endeavour to forge a balance between socio-economic development and environmental well-being, in particular conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem. We continuously review our environmental and biodiversity related legislations to ensure its effectiveness and compatibility with recent developments.
7. We hope that the international community will continue to reaffirm the commitment towards global efforts to protect and preserve environment for the common good of mankind and mobilize efforts including assistance to developing States in the work to conserve, protect, restore the environment and ensure the sustainable use of nature.
Thank you.
