STATEMENT BY
MS. SARAH RUHAMA
SECOND SECRETARY
PERMANENT MISSION OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
AT THE GENERAL DEBATE OF THE 2020 SESSION OF
THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON THE CHARTER OF THE UNITED NATIONS AND ON THE STRENGTHENING OF THE ROLE OF THE ORGANIZATION
18 FEBRUARY 2020
Madam Chair,
My delegation is pleased to see you presiding over this meeting. I wish to assure you and other bureau members of our full confidence and support.
2. Malaysia aligns itself with the statement delivered by the distinguished representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement and wishes to make additional remarks in its national capacity.
Madam Chair,
3. Malaysia attaches great importance to the work of this Special Committee. We value its positive contributions in the deliberations regarding the question of the maintenance of international peace and security, and in promoting peaceful settlement of disputes. The proposals presented before this Special Committee, therefore, are important and merit due consideration.
Maintenance of International Peace and Security
4. The impact of the application of sanctions is a concern to all Member States, including Malaysia. In an era of globalization and economic interdependence, sanctions hurt not only the people of the targeted State but also bring adverse socio-economic effects to third States. While targeted sanctions have helped reduce the unintended negative impacts, the issue should continue to be deliberated.
5. Malaysia maintains its view that sanctions should only be considered as a last resort or when there are imminent threats to international peace and security. When sanctions are deemed necessary, their applications must be consistent with the UN Charter and relevant principles of international law.
Peaceful Settlement of Disputes
6. Malaysia is committed to the pacific settlement of international disputes. We have demonstrated, time and again, our resolve by settling disputes peacefully with our neighbours through negotiation as well as through recourse to the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
7. Resolving disputes peacefully means that even when we must lose, it will not be at the cost of our people’s lives. As such, Malaysia supports the topic “peaceful settlement of disputes between States” to remain on the agenda of the Special Committee. Malaysia also welcomes the thematic debate for this Session on “State practices regarding the use of conciliation”. Under ASEAN’s Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, conciliation too is listed as one of the means of peaceful settlement of dispute.
Madam Chair,
8. Malaysia welcomes the progress made in compiling the Repertory of Practice of UN Organs and in updating the Repertoire of the Practice of the Security Council. We appreciate the work done by the Secretariat in eliminating the backlog and support these efforts that would assist Member States in understanding the application and practice of the UN and the Security Council.
9. Malaysia notes that three new proposals have been brought forth to this session. We view the increase in the number of proposals for our collective deliberation as an affirmation of this Special Committee’s importance and responsibility. However, we are concerned on the lack of progress in the consideration of several long-standing proposals. We hope that the proposals can soon be finalized through constructive and meaningful engagement by all Member States.
Thank you.