STATEMENT BY
MR. MOHD HAFIZ OTHMAN
MINISTER COUNSELLOR
PERMANENT MISSION OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK
AT THE INFORMAL MEETING OF THE PLENARY
ON THE REPORT OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ENTITLED "OUR COMMON AGENDA”
NEW YORK, 25 OCTOBER 2021
Mr. President,
Thank you for convening this meeting – providing Member States the opportunity to further share their views on the report.
2. I would also like to thank the Secretary-General for his assessment and briefing today. Malaysia’s preliminary views and reflections have been presented at the plenary meeting on 11 October 2021. In view of the PGA and Secretary-General’ presence today, let me recap and update you on some of our reflections on the report as follows:
3. First on SDG and climate action: We support the report's overarching theme to advancing sustainability for a greener, safer and better future. Malaysia recently launched its 12th National Plan (2021-2025) with the theme “A Prosperous, Inclusive, Sustainable Malaysia” – which sets out Malaysia’s commitment to implement a nationwide shift to more sustainable economic practices and lifestyles that value natural endowments and environmental health. We have also recently announced our goal to become a carbon-neutral country by 2050. In supporting this, we will also implement various economic instruments on carbon pricing, such as carbon tax, and the Emission Trading Scheme.
Mr. President,
4. Nevertheless, my delegation would like to stress the "one size fits all" approach should not be used as the basis for our collective efforts in advancing the sustainability agenda. It is crucial to recognise the different challenges faced by countries such as least developed countries, small island developing countries, and middle-income countries. In this connection, we also stress the importance of advocating the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.”
5. We also welcome the call for a credible solidarity package of support to developing countries. Malaysia, on its part, remains committed to sharing its developmental experiences and expertise through its Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) - by providing various human capacity-building programmes and technical assistance to other developing countries within its means and capacity.
6. Malaysia is also of the view that any new mechanisms should be in line with the Agenda 2030 and the SDGs. It should not contradict or discount what has been done for the SDGs. In addition, we believe that any new mechanism should not entail new reporting mechanisms.
7. Second on human rights and social protection: Malaysia supports the call to solidify global solidarity in addressing the pandemic and for the vaccine to be considered a global public good. We also support vaccine multilateralism as to ensure vaccine equity for all, especially for populations that have little to no access to these life-saving shots.
8. Malaysia welcomes the proposal to reinforce universal access to the Internet as a human right. We look forward to more opportunities and consultations on this topic.
9. We also strongly support the call to recognise the right to a healthy environment. This proposal also complements the adopted resolution by the Human Rights Council earlier this month that recognises "access to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment" as a human right.
10. We also support the call for greater inclusion and participation of women, youth, and relevant stakeholders such as civil society organisations in all spheres, particularly in decision-making. Efforts have taken place in Malaysia to encourage more youth involvement in politics and the decision-making processes. The Parliament of Malaysia in 2019, for instance, has approved a bill reducing the voting age for general elections from 21 to 18 years old. It is our conviction that young people can and should contribute to the democratic process and be part of the nation building process.
11. As a current member of the Commission on the Status of Women, we are also supportive of the proposal to explore the reassessment of the Commission's role towards further accelerating action and implementation on global gender equality.
12. With regard to the proposed business models, we also urge Member States and relevant stakeholders to take necessary steps to ensure that no business enterprises are involved in activities linked to human rights violations, such as those reflected in the report on business and human rights in settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, issued by the UN Human Rights Office.
13. Third on peace and security: We welcome the proposed “new agenda for peace” as presented in the report. However, we would have liked to see greater emphasis be given to the aspect of conflict resolution, including mechanism to address the root causes of the conflicts.
14. We also note the absence of the appeal for a global ceasefire in the report which was advocated by the Secretary-General in 2020. As the lead initiator of the Joint Statement on Global Ceasefire - supported by more than 170 countries, we firmly believe this appeal and momentum should be further solidified in the spirit of pursuing our common agenda for peace. It is also consistent with the commitment made by world leaders in the UN75 political declaration last year to urgently resolve ongoing armed conflicts and threats against international peace and security through peaceful means.
15. We also need to make it clear that the arms race is not and must not be part of our “common agenda.” We must end the arms race in every corner of the world. All parties must refrain from using military actions deemed provocative that could potentially escalate tension and spark conflict.
16. And fourth on the strengthening of the UN: We call on Member States to meet their financial obligations in full and on time. This is not a choice – it is a necessity to enable our Organisation to perform its mandate in the most effective and efficient manner possible. Malaysia, in this regard, has been consistent in fulfilling this important obligation, and we are pleased to be included in the honor roll for the past few years.
17. Malaysia is also pleased to play its part in contributing to the strengthening of the work of the General Assembly. Together with Ecuador, Finland and UNITAR, we hosted the first transition workshop between the Offices of the President of the General Assembly last month to facilitate a smooth transition and strengthen the Office's institutional memory so it can better execute the mandates provided by the General Assembly.
18. We also support the reform of the Security Council to make it more representative, democratic, accountable and transparent, both in terms of its working methods and expansion of its membership.
Mr. President,
19. As I have just presented, Malaysia has already implemented various measures at the national level akin to some recommendations made in “Our Common Agenda” report. While we support the proposal for a procedural resolution on this topic, it is our view that Member States may not need to wait any further to implement selected recommendations that are relevant to the respective national interests and capacities.
20. Moving forward, my delegation also wishes to stress the importance of inclusive and transparent processes in discussing any outcome document - guided by shared values, mutual respect, and multilateralism. Please count on my delegation’s support in this regard.
I thank you.