STATEMENT BY
COLONEL SHAMSURI NOORDIN
MILITARY ADVISER
PERMANENT MISSION OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
AT THE SPECIAL POLITICAL AND DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE
(FOURTH COMMITTEE) OF THE 78th SESSION OF THE
UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
AGENDA ITEM 51:
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE WHOLE QUESTION
OF PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS IN
ALL THEIR ASPECTS
NEW YORK
Mr. Chair,
Malaysia aligns itself with the statements delivered by Morocco and Indonesia on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), respectively.
2. At the outset, Malaysia reaffirms its commitment to the importance of peacekeeping operations in maintaining international peace and security. Our salute to the peacekeepers for their sacrifices in serving with unwavering dedication and extraordinary distinction to bring about a more peaceful world. We pay tribute to those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of peace.
Mr. Chair,
3. Since 1960, a total of 40,000 men and women Malaysian peacekeepers have been serving in 38 peacekeeping missions globally. 867 Malaysian peacekeepers from the Malaysian Armed Forces and Royal Malaysian Police currently serve in 5 United Nations Peacekeeping Operations and one Special Political Mission. Our most significant concentration of peacekeepers is serving in South Lebanon under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). On the same note, we are delighted to continue our partnership with Brunei Darussalam, whereby 30 personnel from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces are embedded with their Malaysian counterparts.
Mr. Chair,
4. Malaysia strongly believes in the critical role of training in ensuring effective peacekeeping. To enhance interoperability and mission effectiveness in common tactics, techniques and procedures in accordance with UN doctrine, under collaboration with the United States Global Peace Operations Initiative, the Malaysian Armed Forces co-hosted a Multinational Peacekeeping Exercise, namely Exercise Keris Aman 23 with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. Service members and representatives from more than 19 partner nations participated in this exercise. The Malaysian Peacekeeping Centre (MPC) continues to be recognised as a premier training centre in the region.
5. Malaysia is also pleased to continue supporting women in peacekeeping. Currently, Malaysia is deploying its highest number of women peacekeepers in UNIFIL, consisting of 85 personnel. For training, the MPC collaborates with Canada’s Directorate of Military Training and Cooperation to provide training for experts and peacekeeping personnel on WPS subjects. We are confident that our women peacekeepers can contribute significantly to the success of those missions.
Mr. Chair,
6. Malaysia remains deeply concerned with increased attacks against UN peacekeepers. Despite our collective efforts to stabilise countries in conflict with the deployment of more peacekeepers, we must continue to ensure the safety and security of our peacekeepers. There should not be any compromise on this matter. All stakeholders are responsible for peacekeepers' morale, safety, and security; thus, their well-being must be prioritised. This would require peacekeepers to have the necessary skills, training, equipment, and mandate. We emphasise that peacekeeping missions must be supported with adequate resources to carry out their mandates effectively. To this end, Malaysia urges the Secretariat to ensure timely reimbursements for all troops contributing countries.
7. To conclude, Malaysia reaffirms its support in strengthening the United Nations peacekeeping operations. We owe it to ourselves and our stakeholders to ensure that peacekeeping remains effective and can adequately respond to evolving and new challenges.
Thank you.