STATEMENT BY
HIS EXCELLENCY SYED MOHD HASRIN AIDID
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA
TO THE UNITED NATIONS
ON AGENDA ITEM 125:
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL “OUR COMMON AGENDA”
NEW YORK, 11 OCTOBER 2021
Mr. President,
Thank you for convening this meeting. My delegation welcomes the efforts and publication of “Our Common Agenda” report by the Secretary-General. We also applaud the Secretary-General’s vision on the future of global cooperation through an inclusive, networked, and effective multilateralism as set out in the report. Allow me to provide a preliminary response to the report:
2. First on SDG and climate action: We support the report's overarching theme to advancing sustainability for a greener, safer and better future. Malaysia recently launched its 12th National Plan (2021-2025) with the theme “A Prosperous, Inclusive, Sustainable Malaysia.” This plan sets out our commitment to implement a nationwide shift to more sustainable economic practices and lifestyles that value natural endowments and environmental health. This shift will address the issues of climate change, unsustainable consumption and production practices, loss of biodiversity and lack of coherence in the implementation of policies, among others.
3. We have also recently announced our goal to become a carbon-neutral country by 2050. In supporting this, we will also implement various economic instruments on carbon pricing, such as carbon tax, and the Emission Trading Scheme.
4. We are also supportive of the proposal to hold the Biennial Summit between the G20, Economic and Social Council, the Secretary-General, and the heads of the international financial institutions to work towards a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient global economy. As a member of the Global Governance Group (3G), Malaysia looks forward to the continued engagement with G20 and relevant stakeholders to promote a more inclusive, accountable, and effective global governance framework.
5. Second on human rights and social protection: Malaysia supports the call to solidify global solidarity in addressing the pandemic and for the vaccine to be considered a global public good. We continue to call on Member States to advocate for vaccine multilateralism as to ensure vaccine equity for all, especially for populations that have little to no access to these life-saving shots. We further underscore the need to increase production capacity for vaccines to meet the global vaccination target for 70% of the population of all countries to be vaccinated by mid- 2022.
6. We also support the call for greater inclusion and participation of women, youth, and relevant stakeholders such as civil society organisations in all spheres, particularly in decision-making. Efforts have taken place in Malaysia to encourage more youth involvement in politics and the decision-making processes. The Parliament of Malaysia in 2019 has approved a bill reducing the voting age for general elections from 21 to 18 years old. It is our conviction that young people can and should contribute to the democratic process and be part of the nation building process.
7. As a member of the Commission on the Status of Women, we are also supportive of the proposal to explore the reassessment of the Commission's role towards further accelerating action and implementation on global gender equality.
8. With regard to the proposed business models, we also urge Member States and relevant stakeholders to take necessary steps to ensure that no business enterprises are involved in activities linked to human rights violations, such as those reflected in the report on business and human rights in settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, issued by the UN Human Rights Office.
9. On a related note, we hope that future discussion on this report would also include situation in countries affected by unilateral coercive measures. Malaysia views such measures are in contravention of the norms of international law and the UN Charter. Unilateral sanctions adversely affect free and open business across borders as well as hamper the social development of the general population. My delegation continues to call for the lifting of unilateral sanctions to protect human rights for all especially during the pandemic. This is the time for solidarity, not exclusion.
10. Third on peace and security: We welcome the proposed “new agenda for peace” as presented in the report. However, we would have liked to see greater emphasis be given to the aspect of conflict resolution, including mechanism to address the root causes of the conflicts. We also note the absence of the appeal for a global ceasefire in the report which was advocated by the Secretary-General in 2020. As the lead initiator of the Joint Statement on Global Ceasefire - supported by more than 170 countries, we firmly believe this appeal and momentum should be further solidified in the spirit of pursuing our common agenda for peace.
11. Concurrently, we call for collective efforts and resources to be dedicated towards our continued pursuit of safeguarding global peace and avoiding major geopolitical crises. Despite the absence of a third world war or a nuclear-weapon detonation since the establishment of the UN, we should be reminded that the risk of such calamity is not indefinitely terminated. We continue to call for Member States to implement their obligations and commitments towards ensuring a world free of nuclear weapons.
12. We also need to make it clear that the arms race is not and must not be part of our “common agenda.” We must end the arms race in every corner of the world. All parties must refrain from using military actions deemed provocative that could potentially escalate tension and spark conflict.
13. And fourth on the strengthening of the UN: We call on Member States to meet their financial obligations in full and on time. This is not a choice – it is a necessity to enable our Organisation to perform its mandate in the most effective and efficient manner possible. Malaysia, in this regard, has been consistent in fulfilling this important obligation, and we are pleased to be included in the honor roll for the past few years.
14. Malaysia is also pleased to play its part in contributing to the strengthening of the work of the General Assembly. Together with Ecuador, Finland and UNITAR, we hosted the first transition workshop between the Offices of the President of the General Assembly last month to facilitate a smooth transition and strengthen the Office's institutional memory so it can better execute the mandates provided by the General Assembly.
15. Reform of the Organisation would not be complete without reforming the Security Council. After decades of deliberation, we must transform the Council to be more democratic in terms of its membership and decision making process.
Mr. President,
16. What I have just presented today is some of our initial reflection of the report, noting that we need to engage more in the discussion on how to advance our common agenda. My delegation stands ready to support this process, including engaging and working together with Member States, UN Secretariat, Agencies, and relevant stakeholders in this regard.
I thank you.