STATEMENT BY
MR. AZRIL BIN ABD AZIZ
DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
ON THE Question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council AND MATTERS RELAED TO THE Security Council.
25 JANUARY 2021
Madame Co-Chairs,
Allow me at the outset, to thank you both for convening this important meeting early in the year. We are hopeful that it would set a positive tone for the work of the Intergovernmental Negotiations this year.
Madame Co-Chairs,
2. The world continues to evolve as we speak. Many States continue to evolve with national institutions being strengthened, restructured or reformed to adapt and better respond to the realities and challenges of today. The United Nations is no different. It too must evolve if it is to be a viable vehicle for the translation of the aspirations of the peoples and the nations of the world. Evolution or reform may not be as easy, for any form of change is difficult to bring about. Nevertheless, the multilateral process must be strengthened, revitalised and reformed to reach its full potential, as it remains the bedrock of relations for the international community.
3. The UN should lead by example and embody the ideals that it espouses. As the UN has constantly called for inclusive, legitimate, representative, democratic, accountable and transparency in the governance of peoples around the world, it is only right that the UN Security Council itself adhere and mirror these same principles. Sadly, the UN Security Council has resisted any form of real reform, since the addition of four non-permanent seats in 1965. It suffers from democracy deficit for an organ which calls for greater democracy to be observed around the world. What message would the UN Security Council be sending, when it refuses to be a truly democratic body by stubbornly clinging to dated and archaic structures? The UN Security Council must reform, for the sake and the future of the peoples of the world.
Madame Co-Chairs,
4. Malaysia has been consistent in reiterating our position that reform of the Security Council should be comprehensive, both in terms of its working methods and expansion of its membership, to make this important organ more legitimate, representative, democratic, accountable and transparent. In this regard, we support any efforts to have an inclusive and transparent Intergovernmental Negotiations on Security Council reform. We also believe in the importance of building on the work of previous sessions of the Intergovernmental Negotiations process. We call on all Member States to work collectively in exploring creative, innovative and pragmatic approaches, aimed at moving the reform process forward.
5. In our view, the ideal step forward in this process would be to move towards text-based negotiations. We admit that such work would be difficult, given the fact that there are still significant areas of differences among delegations. Nonetheless, if Member States are willing to demonstrate openness, flexibility and the necessary political will, we are confident that a mutually acceptable conclusion can be agreed upon.
Madame Co-Chairs,
6. An inclusive UN should have the world represented in all its bodies, especially the UN Security Council. Malaysia supports the proposal for equitable regional representation in both permanent and non-permanent categories so as to ensure that no region will be underrepresented in the Council. It begs the leave of logic for the second largest continent and second largest population like Africa, to be underrepresented. As the African region also features prominently in the agenda of the Council, Malaysia is also of the view that Africa should be represented in the Council. We also believe that any proposal for regional representation should obtain the broadest possible political acceptance by Member States.
Madame Co-Chairs,
7. Our work last year was hampered with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has demonstrated the need for greater solidarity among states and highlighted the importance of multilateralism. As we face this global public health security threat, there is no better time for us to reform the Security Council, in the interest of international peace and security. Now is not the time for words, but it is the time for action. Today, as ever in the past, and in the days to come ~ we must act. Reality dictates us to move forward, driven by the imperatives of justice, freedom, equality, peace and security. It is incumbent upon us, that we transform our vision, hopes and dreams of a more inclusive, legitimate, representative, democratic, accountable and transparent United Nations, into a reality.
8. Let me conclude by assuring you of Malaysia’s commitment and full support to moving this process forward.
Thank you.