STATEMENT BY
HIS EXCELLENCY AHMAD FAISAL MUHAMAD
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
ON THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL 2022
[ITEM 27]
Mr. President,
Malaysia joins the floor in congratulating Algeria, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, and Slovenia on their elections as Members of the Security Council for 2024-2025. Malaysia expresses its appreciation to the President of the General Assembly, for convening this meeting to consider the Annual Report of the United Nations Security Council for the year 2022. Malaysia also thank the distinguished representative of the United Arab Emirates for the presentation of the Report.
Mr. President,
Article 24(3) of the UN Charter stipulates that the Security Council must submit its report annually to the General Assembly. While the Security Council has been consistent in fulfilling this responsibility, we regret to note that the submission of the Annual Report over the years, has become a ritual exercise of providing a mere calendar of events and compilations of activities of the Council throughout the year. Our delegation expresses its disappointment that this year’s report, as in the past, does not offer any critical assessment or incisive analysis on important issues of peace and security.
The inability of the Council to reach consensus on long-standing conflicts is a reflection of the deep geopolitical division within the Council. Malaysia expresses its regret that despite being deliberated at the Council on a monthly basis, the “Question of Palestine” remains in a deadlock with no concrete action by the Council. Malaysia believes that such a failure to act needs to be incorporated in the Annual Report, with clear explanations of positions.
It is further concerning to learn that only eight of the 12 presidencies submitted their assessments for 2022. In this connection, we continue to call on all Council members to make their monthly assessments available to the broader UN membership in a timely manner. While noting the challenges posed by the unanimity requirement, we continue to encourage Council members to pursue innovative approaches in presenting their presidency assessments.
Mr. President,
On a positive note, Malaysia commends the monthly presidency briefings and the increasing number of Open Debates and Arria Formula meetings. We acknowledge the gender parity in briefings at the Council. Similarly, Malaysia encourages other efforts by the President of the General Assembly, and other member states in improving the working relationship between the General Assembly and the Security Council. We appreciate the consistent engagement between the President of the General Assembly with the rotating Council Presidents. We welcome the convening of the first General Assembly formal debate on the use of the veto. The workshop on “The Relationship between the General Assembly and the Security Council’, organised by UNITAR, Ecuador, and Portugal should also continue to be supported.
Mr. President,
Let me conclude by stressing that at a time when the Security Council is being scrutinized on its ability to protect the world’s peace and security, it is vital that the body strives to ensure accountability, transparency and coherence with the larger membership of the United Nations.
Thank you.