Malaysia

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Treki on his presidency and to assure him of Malaysia’s full support. There is a difference in the General Assembly this year. In light of some of the greatest challenges ever faced by any generation, we have resolved to work more closely together, to strengthen the ties that bind us as members of a human family, to fulfil our responsibilities and to overcome distrust and discord. Malaysia will continue to do its part in this cooperative endeavour. We do so knowing that we are a country in the middle, not too large nor too small, not too rich nor too poor, not too strong nor too weak. We do our part knowing that our actions have consequences for ourselves and our children. We do so in the belief that hope will triumph over adversity. I believe that the developing world is not shirking its responsibilities to address the entire spectrum of challenges facing us. But our efforts will be far more effective if done in tandem with the developed world. So allow me to say this on behalf of the developing world — give us fair terms and we will seal the deal. Give us the tools and we will help to finish the job. Invest in our common future, and all our children and humanity henceforth will reap the rewards. A few days ago we deliberated on the issue of climate change, among the most pressing and urgent issues facing us today. Therefore, I hope that we are now more firm in our resolve to act immediately. In Malaysia’s case, we are, in the context of mitigation action, protecting and preserving our rainforests through sustainable forest management measures. We are increasing the use of public transportation as part of the relevant Ministry’s key performance indicator. We are also increasing the usage of renewable energy sources and promoting greater energy efficiency. The Ministry of Energy, Water and Communications has been transformed into the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water. However, it is the developed world that must play the leading role in the global effort to combat climate change. Sadly, such leadership has been lacking. Developed countries’ pledges to cut greenhouse gas emissions fall short of what is required to tackle increasing global temperatures. We have to seal the deal in Copenhagen. However, that cannot be achieved if the developed world continues to attempt to reinterpret and renegotiate key principles of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol. Let me be absolutely clear about this: there will not be a deal in Copenhagen if some are keen to “steal the deal”. I need to state what I believe to be a very important fact. Tackling climate change entails making difficult choices, given the competing interests of so many constituents and needs in developing countries. More important, there is a need to balance development, food security and poverty eradication, on the one hand, and environmental considerations, on the other. Let us not make the glib statement that one perfectly complements the other. For example, agricultural production, the bedrock of efforts to address the food crisis, produces 14 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions. Let us not forget that the world food system is still in crisis. Although the prices of major food grains have declined since last year, they are still above average. Hunger afflicts more than 1 billion people. Addressing the food crisis requires more than increasing food production; it demands nothing less than a transformation of market systems so that they work better for the poorest and hungriest. It is for those reasons that we believe that climate change must not be treated as a stand-alone subject; it must be seen as part of the broader sustainable development challenge. The United Nations has been in existence for more than 60 years, yet peace and security continue to elude us in many parts of the world. Malaysia has played and will continue to play its role in achieving global peace and security. We have committed our troops to United Nations peacekeeping operations since 1960. 09-52604 38 Closer to home, Malaysia has been playing a role in fostering peace within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region. We are actively involved in peace efforts in the southern Philippines. We will continue to work towards greater progress in the democratization process in Myanmar. Often, grave injustices are the cause of breaches of peace and threats to security. In that connection, we must accept the fact that the Palestinian issue epitomizes everything that is unjust and unfair in international relations. It has taken on a symbolic value that colours cultural and political relations well beyond its geographical scope. This issue has bedevilled the international community for too long. We must do all that we can to address the Palestinian issue, as resolving it will have a major impact in our efforts to achieve peace and security in the Middle East and beyond. For far too long, the unstinting support given to Israel has resulted in an impasse. In the interest of global peace, Israel, Palestine and the affected countries in the region must work together to resolve the conflict. We look forward to the United States undertaking the role of an honest broker. We hold much hope for a more even-handed approach by the United States on the Middle East. We expect to be able to be part of a just and comprehensive solution and that the action of the United States will match its rhetoric. After all, history is littered with examples of the fury and vehemence that result when hope turns into despair. Non-proliferation and disarmament are cornerstones of peace and security. We agree that at the heart of such efforts is a basic bargain comprising these elements: first, all nations have the right to peacefully use nuclear power; second, nations that have nuclear weapons must move towards disarmament; and third, those without nuclear weapons must renounce their acquisition. In that regard, Malaysia draws hope from any action by major Powers such as the agreement between the United States and Russia to reduce their nuclear stockpiles. We also look forward to other measures to strengthen that bargain, including the strengthening of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and other international instruments related to disarmament and non-proliferation. By the same token, we view with grave concern any attempt aimed at the proliferation of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. For our part, since 1996, we have introduced the draft resolution on follow-up to the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legality of the threat or use of nuclear weapons, and we will continue to do so at this session of the General Assembly. The resolution, inter alia, calls on all States to fulfil their obligation by commencing multilateral negotiations leading to an early conclusion of a nuclear weapons convention. Malaysia’s efforts in that regard will not cease here. We will also participate actively in the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the NPT and play our rightful role as President of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency. For many, efforts to achieve peace and security begin at a more commonplace level. Given Malaysia’s multi-ethnic and multi-religious society, we are especially conscious of the need to continuously promote interaction among peoples of different religions, races and beliefs. For that reason, the Malaysian Government has introduced the “one Malaysia” concept, which builds on previous efforts to promote national unity yet takes present realities into account. It aims to foster appreciation and respect for all races, seeing diversity as a source of strength. It envisages unity that arises from true acceptance instead of mere tolerance, based on the legal principles set out in the Constitution, and has social justice for all at its heart. If our collective efforts to create a better world are to succeed, the global governance structure must be improved. Decisions are still made by the few for the many. The prime example of that is the Security Council. We continue to believe that reform of the Council, including the eventual abolition of the veto, is critical if the aspiration to the equality of States is to be fulfilled. The same situation is reflected in the economic sphere. Perhaps the most important result of the recently concluded summit of the Group of 20 (G-20) is the Group’s designation as the premier forum for international economic cooperation. That point was made twice in the Leaders’ Statement. Further, G-20 representatives are to report back to their countries with recommendations on how to maximize the effectiveness of their cooperation. 39 09-52604 It may be said that the G-20 is far more representative than the Group of Eight, given the participation of the leading emerging economies. However, questions remain as to how representative and inclusive it truly is. Therefore, the challenge of the G-20 process is how best to make it more legitimate and more effective. I would like to make the following points and proposals in this regard. First, many of the main thrusts of the G-20’s work, such as reform of the Bretton Woods institutions and strengthening the international financial regulatory system, were first articulated by Malaysia in the wake of the Asian financial crisis. Secondly, while claiming no particular credit for Malaysia, that means that ideas and solutions are not the monopoly of the large and powerful. Thirdly, the choice between legitimacy and effectiveness is often a false one. Fourthly, in addressing ways of maximizing cooperation among themselves, the G-20 must simultaneously address ways of improving links with the broader international community. Finally, there needs to be greater clarity on the involvement of regional organizations. On the issue of global governance, as in many others, Malaysia stands ready, willing and able to make a meaningful contribution. We aspire to equality for all States, large and small. We dream a dream of a true Parliament of Man, a Federation of the World. But we are not content to be idle dreamers. We intend to make full use our presidency of the Economic and Social Council next year to address these issues. We will do so in a cooperative and action-oriented manner. History has shown that a state of virtue or vice is often the result of human endeavour and activity. Vices that have existed since time immemorial have been eradicated by dint of human action. Slavery is one such example, apartheid another. Inspired by the hope that these examples provide, I believe that we can yet overcome the grave challenges that we face. However, there must be a willingness to collectively bear our common burdens. I would therefore like to end where I began, with an expression of hope that in the light of some of the greatest challenges ever faced by any generation of Man, we will finally be able to work more closely. This hope is that we may strengthen the ties that bind us as members of a human family, fulfil our responsibilities and overcome distrust and discord.