STATEMENT BY
H.E. AMBASSADOR SYED MOHAMAD HASRIN AIDID
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
AT THE 45THANNUAL MEETING OF MINISTERS FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA
NEW YORK, 30 NOVEMBER 2021
Mr. Chairman,
At the outset, I wish to express our utmost appreciation to the Government of Guinea for convening this important Meeting and its able stewardship of the Group.
2. As one of the founding members, Malaysia is proud of the progress and achievements the Group has attained on issues of great importance to developing countries. We have overcome many impediments over these past years but many more remain.
Mr. Chairman,
3. The COVID-19 pandemic has wiped out decades of our hard-won gains and further disrupts our efforts towards achieving the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. The pandemic has pushed more than 100 million people worldwide into extreme poverty.
4. According to UNCTAD, the pandemic will make developing countries poorer by USD12 trillion through 2025. The failure in global vaccine roll out will further knock another USD1.5 trillion of income across the global south. In this context, Malaysia continues to advocate for affordable and equitable access to vaccines particularly for developing countries.
5. Equality in vaccination is key to building back better and leaving no one behind. Without inclusive vaccination the world would not be able to recover in a resilient, sustainable and greener manner. The discovery of the Omicron variant is yet another reminder of humanity's misguided approach in dealing with this global problem.
Mr. Chairman,
6. The Group was formed as a combined platform for developing countries to advance economic and social development, peace and prosperity. We realised then that we have to even the level playing field by establishing a new world order.
7. Despite our best efforts, it seems that our partners are drawing back on their pledges and promises including in sustainable development, multilateral trading system and climate action. In this respect, the Group has to remain the preserve of the developing world.
8. We must continue to strengthen our coordination and work closely with the United Nations system, international financial institutions, regional organisations and other multi-stakeholders for the benefit of developing countries. We need to strengthen our unity and solidarity, while keeping our common interests as top priority.
9. Malaysia welcomes the adoption of the Ministerial Declaration which outlines several tasks before us. The Group has to prepare well for the upcoming high level meetings such as on vaccination, New Urban Agenda and South - South Cooperation in 2022.
Mr. Chairman,
10. To conclude, I wish to congratulate the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on its election and assure the incoming Chair of our full support. Malaysia will continue to work closely with fellow G77 members in our common pursuit to advance and safeguard the interests of developing countries.
I thank you.