STATEMENT BY
H.E. AMBASSADOR SYED MOHAMAD HASRIN AIDID
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO
THE UNITED NATIONS
AT THE SUBSTANTIVE SESSION OF THE UN DISARMAMENT COMMISSION
(PLENARY – EXCHANGE OF VIEWS)
NEW YORK, 6 APRIL 2022
Mr. Chair,
1. Malaysia aligns itself with the statements delivered by Cambodia on behalf of ASEAN, and by Indonesia on behalf of NAM.
2. My delegation welcomes the successful convening of this substantive session of the UN Disarmament Commission (UNDC) after a hiatus over the last few years. Malaysia congratulates you on your election, Mr. Chair, and we have every confidence in your leadership.
3. Amidst heightened geopolitical tensions and uncertainties in the global security environment, the UNDC has an important role to play as a multilateral deliberative body whose mandate encompasses a broad range of disarmament issues, and in which all UN Member States are represented. It is Malaysia’s hope that we will collectively be able to advance the UNDC’s work on the specific agenda items which the present session has been tasked to consider.
Mr. Chair,
Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation
4. The Preamble of the UN Charter affirms the determination of the people of the United Nations “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war”. A corollary to this noble aspiration is that we should seek to endow future generations with the promise of peace - something which, from the standpoint of Malaysia and many others, cannot be reconciled, in principle or in practice, with the persistence of any weapons of mass destruction. General and complete disarmament is not one among several viable options; it is the only means of ruling out with certainty the catastrophic humanitarian consequences which any potential use of nuclear weapons would inevitably entail.
5. The fate of the world cannot continue to rest precariously on the ability of States which possess nuclear weapons to prevent their use or threats thereof. Regrettably, there remains no indication that this is changing for the better. Rather, the constant modernisation and upgrading of nuclear arsenals, and reports of their placement on high alert, throw into sharp relief the real danger they represent.
6. As regards the NPT, it is essential for us to address the three pillars of nuclear disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear technology in a comprehensive and balanced manner. Malaysia further recognises the continued importance of transparency, adherence to full-scope IAEA safeguards and relevant provisions of the NPT, as well as the critical role of the IAEA, in promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and technology by all States.
7. Malaysia reaffirms its support for the continued implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Building on the recent talks to restore the agreement, Malaysia calls on all parties to move forward on the basis of strong political will and a common desire to ensure peace, security and prosperity.
8. As part of on-going efforts to advance nuclear disarmament in a manner which complements the NPT, Malaysia looks forward to the First Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) in Vienna this June.
Mr. Chair,
9. The establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones and the related provision of legally binding negative security assurances by the Nuclear-Weapon-States are vital measures in augmenting the global disarmament and non-proliferation architecture.
10. In our own region, Malaysia underscores the urgency of resolving all outstanding issues pertaining to the signing and ratification of the SEANWFZ Protocol at the earliest, in line with the aspirations of the ASEAN Leaders as articulated in the ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint 2025. While Malaysia recognises that there are different views among ASEAN Member States on the way forward, we believe that sustained dialogue with the Nuclear-Weapon-States will facilitate meaningful progress. Malaysia also believes that ASEAN may draw upon the successful experiences of our friends from other regions vis-à-vis the protocols to their respective nuclear-weapon-free zone treaties. Exchange of views will allow us to better understand the relevant legal, political and security considerations, and ultimately to preserve Southeast Asia as a zone of peace, freedom and neutrality.
11. Malaysia also reiterates the importance of the establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction, and we look forward to participating constructively in deliberations on this issue at the present session.
12. On the Korean Peninsula, Malaysia is deeply concerned by reports of the launch of a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by the DPRK in March this year, despite the DPRK’s April 2018 decision to halt all nuclear tests and missile launches. Malaysia urges the DPRK to abide by its obligations under relevant Security Council resolutions, and we call on the relevant parties to work towards the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.
Mr. Chair,
Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space
13. Moving on to the next item on the UNDC agenda, Malaysia recognises that outer space should be protected and used exclusively for peaceful purposes.
14. In our efforts to strengthen the peaceful uses of outer space, Malaysia continues to seek opportunities to collaborate with the international community within the international legal framework, for the benefit of mankind as a whole.
15. Malaysia also underscores the importance of capacity-building for developing countries in reducing disparities in terms of access to outer space as a common heritage of mankind.
16. To conclude, please be assured of our continued support in the deliberations at this session.
Thank you.