STATEMENT BY
MR. SHAHARUDDIN ONN
MINISTER COUNSELLOR, PERMANENT MISSION OF MALAYSIA TO THE UN TO
THE EIGHTEENTH MEETING OF THE UNITED NATIONS OPEN-ENDED INFORMAL CONSULTATIVE PROCESS ON OCEANS AND THE LAW OF THE SEA
15 MAY 2017
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Co-Chairs,
At the outset, Malaysia associates itself with the statement delivered by Ecuador on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
2. As this is the first time that my delegation is taking the floor, allow me to congratulate both of you on your appointment as Co-Chairs for this meeting. I wish to express my delegation’s confidence in the Co-Chairs’ leadership and ability to steer this meeting. I also you to assure the Co-Chairs of my delegation’s fullest cooperation to enable you to fulfil your responsibilities.
3. Malaysia’s commitment to address the cause and effects of climate change is reflected by its ratification of the UNFCCC, as well as the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.
4. Under the Paris Agreement, Malaysia’s commitment is indicated through its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) in that it would reduce its emissions intensity of GDP, relative to the 2005 emissions intensity, by 45% by 2030. Of the 45% intensity reduction, 35% is unconditional while the remaining 10% is conditional on receiving climate finance, technology transfer and capacity building from partners.
5. Additionally, as part of our efforts to address the cause and impacts of climate change on oceans in particular, my delegation wishes to share some of the measures implemented and initiatives undertaken by Malaysia at the national level:
· the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation is currently reviewing the Coral Triangle Initiative Malaysia National Plan of Action (CTI- NPOA), which is focusing on 5 goals, namely National Seascape; Ecosystem approach fisheries management; climate change adaptation; marine protected areas; and threatened species. This plan is line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 14 and the Paris Agreement 2015;
· carried out studies on the impacts of sea level rise on several locations to establish a baseline and make projections of sea level rise. These included detailed sea-level rise studies at some of the vulnerable coastal areas to project future vulnerabilities in a 20-year sequence from 2020-2100;
· developed a National Coastal Vulnerability Index;
· 2,509 hectares of mangroves and other suitable species were planted for coastal protection during Tenth Malaysia Plan; and
· environmental enhancement in coastal areas, through erosion prevention and coastal rehabilitation programmes, has been carried out in several States during the course of the Tenth Malaysia Plan.
6. Nevertheless, in addressing the cause and impacts of climate change on oceans, we are cognisant that more effort and further improvements could be made. These include:
· a more comprehensive study on the impact of sea level rise as it is currently fragmented and implemented only in several locations in the country;
· more studies are also needed to determine the impact of rising sea water temperature as well as ocean acidification;
· obtaining financial resources to fund more studies and implement adaptation and mitigation measures; and
· technology, expertise and modelling to predict the impact of climate change and plan adaptation as well as mitigation measures.
Thank you, Co-Chairs.