STATEMENT BY
MR. AZRIL ABD AZIZ
DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
AT THE HIGH-LEVEL FORUM ON THE CULTURE OF PEACE
"THE CULTURE OF PEACE: IMPORTANCE OF JUSTICE, EQUALITY,
AND INCLUSION FOR ADVANCING PEACEBUILDING"
UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK
6 SEPTEMBER 2022
Mr. President,
Malaysia joins others in thanking you for convening this High-level Forum on the Culture of Peace. We align ourselves with the statement delivered by Cambodia on behalf of ASEAN.
2. Our meeting takes place at a critical juncture, against a backdrop of heightened tensions not seen since the end of the Second World War. Nuclear war rhetoric is at an all-time high, while various parts of the world are experiencing conflicts and unrest. The situation is further compounded by acts of terror as well as hate crimes emanating from racial and religious discrimination, and xenophobia. The cultivation of a culture of peace has thus become more important than ever.
Mr. President,
3. Malaysia strongly supports and is fully committed to fostering a global culture of respect for peace and non-violence, inter-cultural dialogue and social inclusion where human values and dignity are truly celebrated. We firmly believe in efforts and initiatives that promote peaceful coexistence between nations, peoples, faiths and cultures. The Culture of Peace in our view is an important dimension of international commitment towards the promotion of mutual understanding and cooperation to achieve global peace. Justice, equity and inclusivity form the bedrock of this endeavour.
4. The promotion of interactions among States as well as peoples from diverse faiths, cultures and values is imperative to develop understanding, acceptance and appreciation of our distinctiveness. This would in turn contribute towards strengthening global peace and security, a prerequisite for sustainable economic and social development. As a multi-cultural, multi-racial and multi-religious country, Malaysia strongly believes that mutual understanding, respect and tolerance among religions, cultures and peoples is central in the culture of peace, and that it should begin at home. In line with this spirit, Malaysia’s Prime Minister launched the ‘Keluarga Malaysia’ or Malaysian Family concept to serve as a guiding framework towards achieving harmony and prosperity for all people in the country.
Mr. President,
5. Article 4 of the Declaration on a Culture of Peace states that “Education at all levels is one of the principal means to build a culture of peace”. This premise remains true. Education plays a pivotal role in sowing the seeds of peace among the people. It is through education that we instil values of peace, tolerance and unity. Our younger generation must be taught the importance of the rule of law, of respecting one another, and of collaborating with each other.
6. It is therefore Malaysia’s strong conviction that the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace we adopted 23 years ago remains relevant, more than ever.
Mr. President,
7. The culture of peace can only be cultivated globally if the international community believes in a culture of justice, equity and inclusivity. It also demands that we strengthen multilateralism, embrace our differences and engage in meaningful dialogue. Every layer of society, from Governments to the individual person, share the collective responsibility of promoting and upholding global peace. We should reflect on the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, who aptly said, “Peace cannot be achieved through violence; it can only be attained through understanding”.
I thank you, Mr President.
