STATEMENT BY
MR. AZRIL ABD AZIZ
DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
AT THE HIGH-LEVEL MEETING ON MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES
NEW YORK, 2 JULY 2021
Mr. President,
At the outset, allow me to thank you for convening this High-Level Meeting, in accordance with GA resolution 74/231.
2. Malaysia aligns itself with the statement delivered by the G77 and China.
Mr. President,
3. Middle-income countries remain an integral component in our collective efforts to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused devastating impact and brought about new challenges for middle-income countries in attaining the SDGs. According to the World Bank, the pandemic has pushed more than 120 million people into extreme poverty.
4. Malaysia notes with concern that middle-income countries are home to more than 80% of the new global extreme poor. Middle-income countries are a diverse group by size, population and income level. As a key global development partner, the unique needs of middle-income countries must be identified and addressed effectively in order to eradicate poverty and foster sustainable development worldwide.
Mr. President,
5. Malaysia believes that national efforts and capacities of middle-income countries need to be supported and strengthened in facilitating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Malaysia is of the view that the role of the UN Development System (UNDS) could be further reinforced by means of exchange of experiences, technical assistance and policy advice which are tailored to middle-income countries’ unique capacities and diverse needs.
6. We have seen how COVID-19 has amplified adverse impacts on the economic, social and environmental aspects of middle-income countries. Building back better is undoubtedly an imperative approach to recovering from the pandemic. Nevertheless, we must first address how the pandemic has left many middle-income countries vulnerable. We must continue to address the existing structural gaps and asymmetries as well as new challenges due to the pandemic.
7. Malaysia believes that in the short term, what is urgently needed to be addressed is to ensure equitable access of vaccines globally particularly to developing countries including middle-income countries. Without effective and equitable vaccine roll out, global development efforts to build back better would not be achieved. In this regard, international cooperation is needed more than ever in ensuring enough supply of vaccines either through bilateral initiatives, the COVAX facility or by allowing production of vaccines in developing countries.
Mr. President,
8. Malaysia strongly believes that middle-income countries must be included in an inclusive transformative global recovery efforts. In this context, full international cooperation and strategic partnership are required to beat the pandemic and build back better such as in the areas of financing for development, access to technology and fair trade. We must make the most out of this cooperation to build resilience for the post-COVID-19 future.
Thank you.