STATEMENT BY
MR. SOFIAN AKMAL, DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE
PERMANENT MISSION OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL ARRIA-FORMULA MEETING
A DECADE OF RESOLUTION 2286: PROTECTING MEDICAL CARE
IN CONFLICT AMID EVOLVING THREATS
5 MAY 2026
___________________________________________________________________
Thank you Mr. Chair,
- Malaysia thanks Denmark, New Zealand and Spain for convening this meeting and we thank the briefers for their insights.
- Resolution 2286’s key message is clear. All parties to armed conflict must comply with international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Medical and humanitarian personnel, their transport, equipment, hospitals and facilities must be protected at all times.
- Regretfully, the fact that we are here – gathered once again to re-emphasize Resolution 2286 – speaks for itself. We still see attacks against health care services, including in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan and other conflict areas.
- The situation in Gaza is a grave reminder of the realities on the ground. The ICJ’s advisory opinion of October 2025 underscored the obligation to protect relief and medical personnel and facilities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
- However, as of early this year, over 90 per cent of hospitals in Gaza have reportedly been damaged or destroyed, with the remaining facilities only partially functioning. More than 1,700 medical personnel have been killed. Hundreds of health-care workers have reportedly been detained by the occupying power, with several reported dead in detention.
- Malaysia condemns all acts of violence against medical and humanitarian personnel and facilities, the recurrence of which is enabled by impunity. As long as the perpetrators remain free from accountability, the attacks will continue, the victims will be denied justice and international legal protections will remain ineffective.
Mr. Chair,
- To fulfil its mandate, the Council must ensure that perpetrators are held accountable, and end the impunity that has allowed the persistent violations of Resolution 2286.
Thank you.