Permanent Mission of

Malaysia
to the United Nations
(Please check against delivery) STATEMENT BY THE HONOURABLE DATUK ANIFAH AMAN, FOREIGN MINISTER OF MALAYSIA AT THE GENERAL DEBATE OF THE 64TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, NEW YORK, 28 SEPTEMBER 2009

Mr. President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you, Mr. President and to assure you of Malaysia's support. Mr. President, 2. There is a difference in the General Assembly this year. In light of some of the greatest challenges ever faced by any generation of Man, we have resolved to work closer, to strengthen the ties that bind us as members of a human family, to fulfill our responsibilities and to overcome distrust and discord. 3. Malaysia will continue to do our part in this cooperative endevour. 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 on ourselves and our children. We do so believing that hope will triumph over adversity. 4. I believe that the developing world is not shirking our 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. 5. 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.

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Mr. President, 6. A few days ago we deliberated on the issue of climate change, amongst the most pressing and urgent 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. 7. However, it is the developed world that must play the leading role in the global effort to combat climate change. But sadly, this leadership has been lacking. Developed countries' pledges for cutting GHG emissions fall short of what is required to tackle increasing global temperatures. 3. We have to seal the deal in Copenhagen. However, this cannot be achieved if the developed world continues to attempt to reinterpret and to renegotiate key principles of the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol. Let me be absolutely clear on this - there will not be a deal in Copenhagen, when some are keen to 'steal the deal'. Mr. President, 9. 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 importantly, 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 glib statements that one perfectly complements the other. 10. As an example, agricultural production - the bedrock of efforts to address the food crisis, produces 14 percent of GHG emissions. Let us not forget that the world food system is still in crisis. Although they have declined since last year, major food grain prices are still above average. Hunger afflicts more than one 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. 11. It is for these reasons we that 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.

Mr. President, 12. The United Nations has been in existence for more than sixty years and yet, peace and security continue to elude us in many parts of the world. Malaysia has and will continue to play our role in achieving global peace and security. We have committed our troops to UN Peacekeeping Operations since 1960. 13. Closer to home, Malaysia has been playing a role in fostering peace within the ASEAN 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. 14. Often, grave injustices are the cause of breaches of peace and threats to security. In this connection, we must accept that the Palestinian issue epitomizes everything that is unjust and unfair in international relations. It has taken on a symbolic value that colors cultural and political relations well beyond its geographical scope. This issue has bedeviled 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. 15. For far too long, the unstinting support given to Israel has resulted in a situation of 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 US to undertake the role as an honest broker. We hold much hope for a more even-handed approach by the US on the Middle East. We expect to be able to be part of a just and comprehensive solution and that the reality of action by the US matches its rhetoric. After all, history is littered with examples of the fury and vehemence which results when hope turns into despair. 16. Non-proliferation and disarmament are cornerstones of peace and security. We agree that at the heart of these efforts is a basic bargain comprising these elements: 16.1 16.2 16.3 One, all nations have the right to peacefully use nuclear power; Two, nations that have nuclear weapons must move towards disarmament; and Three, those without nuclear weapons must disavow from acquiring them.

17. In this regard, Malaysia draws hope from any action by the major powers such as the agreement between the US and Russia to reduce their nuclear stockpiles. We also look forward to other measures to strengthen this bargain, including by strengthening the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and other international instruments related to disarmament and non-proliferation. By the same token, we view with grave concern any attempt aimed at proliferating nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.

18. For our own part, we have since 1996 introduced the resolution on the 'Follow-up to the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the Legality of the threat or use of nuclear weapons', and will continue to do so at this session of the General Assembly. The resolution, among others, calls on all States to fulfill this obligation by commencing multilateral negotiations leading to an early conclusion of a nuclear weapons convention. Malaysia's efforts in this regard will not cease here. We will also participate actively in the NPT Review Conference in 2010 and play our rightful role as the President of the IAEA's Board of Governors. 19. 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 between peoples of different religions, races and beliefs. For this reason, the Malaysian government has introduced the IMalaysia concept, which builds on previous efforts at promoting national unity, yet takes into account present realities. 20. It aims at fostering 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 contained in the Constitution and has, at its heart, social justice for all. Mr. President, 21. For our collective efforts at creating a better world to succeed, the global governance structure must be improved. 22. Decisions are still made by the few for the many. The prime example of this is the UN Security Council. We continue to believe that reforming the Security Council, including the eventual abolition of the veto, is critical if the aspiration of equality of States is to be achieved. 23. The same situation is reflected in the economic sphere as well. Perhaps the most important result of the recently concluded G20 Summit is its designation as the premier forum for international economic cooperation. This point was made twice in the Leader's Statement. Further, G20 representatives are to report back with recommendations on how to maximize the effectiveness of their cooperation. 24. It may be said that the G20 is far more representative than the G8, given the participation of the leading emerging economies. However, questions still remain as to how representative and inclusive it truly is. Therefore, the challenge for the G20 process is how best to make it more legitimate and by the same token, more effective. 25. I would like to make the following points and proposals in this regard: 25.1 One, many of the main thrusts of the G20's work, such as reform of the Bretton Woods Institutions and strengthening the international financial

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regulatory system, were first articulated by Malaysia in wake of the Asian Financial Crisis; Two, while claiming no particular credit for Malaysia, this means that ideas and solutions are not the monopoly of the large and powerful; Three, the choice between legitimacy and effectiveness is often a false one; Four, in addressing ways of maximizing cooperation among themselves, the G20 must simultaneously address ways of improving links with the broader international community; and Five, there needs to be greater clarity on the involvement of regional organizations.

26. On the issue of global governance, as in many others, Malaysia stands ready, able and willing to make a meaningful contribution. We aspire towards equality for all States, large and small. We dream a dream of a true Parliament of Man, a Federation of the World. 27. But we are not content to be idle dreamers. We intend to use our presidency of ECOSOC fully next year to address these issues. We will do so in a cooperative and action-oriented manner. Mr. President, 28. History has shown that a state of virtue or vice is often the result of human endeavour and activity. Vices which have existed since time immemorial have been eradicated by dint of human action. Slavery is one such example, apartheid another. 29. Inspired by the hope that these examples provide, I believe that we can yet overcome the grave challenges which we face. However, there must be a willingness to collectively bear our common burdens. 30. I would therefore like to end where I began, with an expression of hope that in light of some of the greatest challenges ever faced by any generation of Man, we will finally be able to work closer. The hope that we may strengthen the ties that binds us as members of a human family, fulfill our responsibilities and overcome distrust and discord. Thank you.