STATEMENT BY
HIS EXCELLENCY SYED MOHD HASRIN AIDID
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
ON BEHALF OF
THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN)
ON ITEM 124: THE REVITALIZATION OF THE WORK OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
AT THE PLENARY MEETING OF
THE 77TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
7 NOVEMBER 2022, NEW YORK
Mr. President,
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
2. At the outset, ASEAN would like to thank Ambassador Egriselda Gonzalez Lopez of El Savador and Ambassador Mitch Fifield of Australia for their stewardship as Co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group (AHWG) on the revitalisation of the Work of the General Assembly during the 76th session and congratulate them on their reappointment for the 77th session. We commend the commitment of the Co-Chairs and look forward to productive discussions under their able leadership, and wish to reassure Member States of ASEAN’s full support and cooperation to this end.
3. ASEAN welcomes the continuity and momentum of the work on GA revitalisation following the adoption of GA resolution 75/325 in 2021. We appreciate the convening of the four formal meetings held by the AHWG which allow Member States to engage broadly, guided by the thematic issues on the role and authority of the General Assembly and its working methods. We reiterate the important role of the Main Committees in complementing the work of the AHWG towards further revitalising the General Assembly.
Mr. President,
4. Building a multilateral system that remains relevant in responding to emerging challenges continue to be one of ASEAN’s focuses. Our common goal is to protect the primacy and credibility of the General Assembly, which is underpinned by its ability to function effectively and efficiently within the parameter set out in the UN Charter. Taking this into account, we support the suggestion for the AHWG to remain focused on specific clusters during the 76th and 77th session respectively. ASEAN would like to further highlight the following points regarding the two clusters slated for discussion in the AHWG for the upcoming 77th session.
5. First, on strengthening accountability, transparency and institutional memory of the Office of the President of the Assembly (PGA). ASEAN attaches great importance to enhancing the effectiveness of the PGA office in serving the best interests and aspirations of all Member States. In this regard, ASEAN welcomes the successful conclusion of the second transition workshop for the Office of the President of the General Assembly in September this year – aimed at strengthening the institutional memory, preserving best practices, and working methods and supporting the smooth transition between presidencies. We also commend the invaluable briefing by the previous Co-Chairs on the revitalisation process for members of the Office of the PGA during the workshop.
6. The General Assembly is the main deliberative and most representative organ of the United Nations. In this context, ASEAN strongly feels that the OPGA should not continue to be mainly dependent on voluntary contribution and secondment of officers from Member States and the sending country of the President. In this regard, ASEAN fully supports the call for the OPGA to be strengthened with adequate human and financial resources through the regular budget.
7. Second, on the selection and appointment of the Secretary-General and other executive heads. Their crucial role in leading and managing the UN and its bodies merits attentive judgement and careful selection. Taking into consideration equitable geographical distribution and representation as well as gender balance, ASEAN continues to call for a transparent and open selection process for the position of the Secretary-General and other executive heads of the UN system.
Mr. President,
8. It is incumbent upon us to ensure that the General Assembly remain the most democratic body to represent our collective voice. On this note, ASEAN believes that Member States need to find ways to reinvigorate and further revitalise the work of the General Assembly. Let me conclude by reaffirming ASEAN’s commitment to engage with all delegations in this revitalisation process, in the spirit of inclusivity, transparency and constructive dialogue.
Thank you.